*«**«««•••*«•*«**•*«»•«»***•*«  #«*«*«*««*»*«»»•»••#«#***•*  ««•••••**•••«•»•*»*«*«»«•*  III 


University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


By  the  same  Author. 


IN  PREPARATION, 

Mingo  and  Other  Sketches, 


JOEL  CHANDLER  HARRIS, 

Author  of  ' '  Nights  ivith   Uncle  Remus. 


JAMES  R,  OSGOOD  &  COMPANY,  Publishers, 

BOSTON. 


NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 


MYTHS  AND  LEGENDS 


THE     OLD     PLANTATION 


BV 


JOEL    CHANDLER    HARRIS 

Author  of  "Uncle  liemtis :    His  Songs  (ind  Sayings,"   ltAt  Teague  Poteefs,"  etc. 


OTitfj    illustrations. 


BOSTON 

JAMES     R.    OSGOOD     AND     COMPANY 
1883 


COPYRIGHT,  1881,  BY  THE  CENTURY  C.o.,  AND  1883, 
BY  JOEL  CHANDLER  HARRIS. 


All  rig /its  resemed. 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter  Page 

I. — MR.  Fox  AND  Miss  GOOSE     ......       1 

II. — BROTHER  Fox  CATCHES  MR.  HORSE       ....       6 

III. — BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  LITTLE  GIRL       .         .         .11 

IV. — How  BROTHER  Fox  WAS  TOO  SMART    .        .        .         .15 

V.  —  BROTHER  RABBIT'S  ASTONISHING  PRANK        .        .        .20 

VI. — BROTHER  RABBIT  SECURES  A  MANSION.        .        .         .25 

VII.  —  MR.  LION  HUNTS  FOR  MR.  MAN    .        .        .        .        .82 

VIII.— THE  STORY  OF  THE  PIGS 37 

IX.  —  MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  AND  HIS  WONDERFUL  FIDDLE  .        .     43 

X.  —  BROTHER  RABBIT'S  RIDDLE 50 

XI. — How  MR.  ROOSTER  LOST  HIS  DINNER    .         .        .        .56 
XII. — BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY.         .         .         .61 
XIII. — BROTHER  Fox,  BROTHER  RABBIT,   AND  KING  DEER'S 

DAUGHTER 68 

XIV.  — BROTHER  TERRAPIN  DECEIVES  BROTHER  BUZZARD  .         .     74 

XV. — BROTHER  Fox  COVETS  THE  QUILLS         .         .         .         .79 

XVI.  —  How  BROTHER  Fox  FAILED  TO  GET  HIS  GRAPES  .         .     83 


IV  CONTEXTS. 

Chapter  Page 

XVII. MR.    FOX   FIGURES    AS    AN   INCENDIARY       .  .  .91 

XVIII. — A  DREAM  AND  A  STORY 95 

XIX.  —  THE  MOON  IN  THE  MILL-POND        ....  101 
XX. —BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  SOME  EXERCISE         .         .  109 
XXI.  —  WHY  BROTHER  BEAR  HAS  NO  TAIL         .         .         .  114 
XXII. — How  BROTHER   RABBIT  FRIGHTENED   HIS   NEIGH- 
BORS   119 

XXIII.  —  MR.  MAN  HAS  SOME  MEAT 125 

XXIV.  —  How  BROTHER  RABBIT  GOT  THE  MEAT  .         .         .  129 
XXV.  —  AFRICAN  JACK 134 

XXVI.  — WHY  THE  ALLIGATOR'S  BACK  is  ROUGH          .         .  143 

XXVII.  —  BROTHER  Fox  SAYS  GRACE 149 

XXVIII.  —  SPIRITS  SEEN  AND  UNSEEN 157 

XXIX. —A  GHOST  STORY 164 

XXX.  —  BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT       .         .  169 

XXXI. — IN  SOME  LADY'S  GARDEN          .....  181 

XXXII. — BROTHER  POSSUM  GETS  IN  TROUBLE       .         .         .  189 

XXXIII. — WHY  THE  GUINEA-FOWLS  ARE  SPECKLED       .         .  197 

XXXIV.  —  BROTHER  RABBIT'S  LOVE-CHARM      ....  202 

XXXV.  —  BROTHER  RABBIT  SUBMITS  TO  A  TEST    .         .         .  207 

XXXVI. — BROTHER  WOLF  FALLS  A  VICTIM     ....  213 

XXXVII. — BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  MOSQUITOES         .         .  219 

XXXVIII.— THE  PIMMERLY  PLUM  .  227 


CONTENTS.  V 

Chapter  Page 

XXXIX.  —  BROTHER  BABBIT  GETS  THE  PROVISIONS         .        .  235 

XL.  —  "  CUTTA  CORD-LA  !" 241 

XLI. — AUNT  TEMPY'S  STORY 247 

XLII. — THE  FIRE-TEST 254 

XLII I. —THE  CUNNING  SNAKE 261 

XLIV.  —  How  BROTHER  Fox  WAS  Too  SMART    .        .        .267 

XLV.  —  BROTHER  WOLF  GETS  IN  A  WARM  PLACE       .        .  275 

XL VI. — BROTHER  WOLF  STILL  IN  TROUBLE         .        .        .  281 

XLVII. — BROTHER  RABBIT  LAYS  IN  HIS  BEEF  SUPPLY          .  287 

XLVIII.— BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MR.  WILDCAT      .        .        .293 

XLIX. — MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  DEFENDS  HIMSELF         .        .  299 

L. — BROTHER  RABBIT  PRETENDS  TO  BE  POISONED         .  304 

LI.  —  MORE  TROUBLE  FOR  BROTHER  WOLF     .        .        .  310 

LII. — BROTHER  RABBIT  OUTDOES  MR.  MAN     .         .         .  314 

LIII.  —  BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  A  WALK  ....  319 

LIV.  —  OLD  GRINNY-GRANNY  WOLF 322 

LV.  —  How  WATTLE  WEASEL  WAS  CAUGHT       .         .         .  327 

LVI. — BROTHER  RABBIT  TIES  MR.  LION    ....  333 

LVII. — MR.  LION'S  SAD  PREDICAMENT        ....  338 

LVIII.  —  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE  OCEAN 343 

LIX. — BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  BROTHER  Fox's  DINNER    .  348 

LX. — How  THE  BEAR  NURSED  THE  LITTLE  ALLIGATOR   .  353 

LXI. — WHY  MR.  DOG  RUNS  BROTHER  RABBIT.         .         .  358 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Chapter  P;igc 

LXII.  —  BROTHER  WOLF  AND  THE  HORNED  CATTLE        .         .  363 

LXIII. — BROTHER  Fox  AND  THE  WHITE  MUSCADINES     .         .  367 

LX1V. — MR.  HAWK  AND  BROTHER  BUZZARD  ....  372 

LXV.  —  MR.  HAWK  AND  BROTHER  BABBIT      ....  376 

LXVI. — THE  WISE  BIRD  AND  THE  FOOLISH  BIRD.         .         .  381 

LXVII.  —  OLD  BROTHER  TERRAPIN  GETS  SOME  FISH         .         .  384 

LX VIII.  —  BROTHER  Fox  MAKES  A  NARROW  ESCAPE          .         .  388 

LXIX.  —  BROTHER  Fox's  FISH-TRAP          .         .         .         .         .392 

LXX. — BROTHER  BABBIT  RESCUES  BROTHER  TERRAPIN         .  398 

LXXI.  —  THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  CHRISTMAS  .....  408 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Miss  MEADOWS  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT       .        .        .  Frontispiece. 
MR.  Fox  AND  Miss  GOOSE          .....   Face  page      4 

BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  LITTLE  GIRL     ...  "           14 

BROTHER  RABBIT'S  ASTONISHING  PRANK     ...  "           24 

MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  AND  HIS  WONDERFUL  FIDDLE    .  "           46 

BROTHER  Fox,  BROTHER  RABBIT,  AND  KING  DEER'S 

DAUGHTER      ........  "70 

BROTHER  Fox  COVETS  THE  QUILLS     ....  "           82 

A  DREAM  AND  A  STORY "           96 

BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  SOME  EXERCISE    .                  .  "         112 

WHY  BROTHER  BEAR  HAS  NO  TAIL     ....  "         118 

AFRICAN  JACK "         136 

WHY  THE  ALLIGATOR'S  BACK  is  ROUGH     .         .  "         148 

BROTHER  WOLF  SAYS  GRACE       .....  "          154 

WHY  THE  GUINEA  FOWLS  ARE  SPECKLED  .         .        .  "         200 


Vlll  LIST    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 

BROTHER  KABBIT  AND  THE  MOSQUITOES     .        .        .   Face  page  220 

THE  PIMMERLT  PLUM "  232 

BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  THE  PROVISIONS     .         .  "  240 

BROTHER  WOLF  STILL  IN  TROUBLE     .         .         .         .  "  286 

BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MR.  WILDCAT          ...  "  296 

BROTHER  RABBIT  TIES  MR.  LION        .        .        .        .  "  336 

How  THE  BEAR  NURSED  THE  LITTLE"  ALLIGATOR       .  "  354 

GOOD-NIGHT         .  ,     416 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  volume1  containing  an  instalment  of  thirty-four  negro 
legends,  which  was  given  to  the  public  three  years  ago,  was 
accompanied  by  an  apology  for  both  the  matter  and  the 
manner.  Perhaps  such  an  apology  is  more  necessary  now 
than  it  was  then  ;  but  the  warm  reception  given  to  the  book 
on  all  sides  —  by  literary  critics,  as  well  as  by  ethnologists 
and  students  of  folk-lore,  in  this  country  and  in  Europe — 
has  led  the  author  to  believe  that  a  volume  embodying  every- 
thing, or  nearly  everything,  of  importance  in  the  oral  litera- 
ture of  the  negroes  of  the  Southern  States,  would  be  as 
heartily  welcomed. 

The  thirty-four  legends  in  the  first  volume  were  merely 
selections  from  the  large  body  of  plantation  folk-lore  familiar 
to  the  author  from  his  childhood,  and  these  selections  were 
made  less  with  an  eye  to  their  ethnological  importance  than 
with  a  view  to  presenting  certain  quaint  and  curious  race 
characteristics,  of  which  the  world  at  large  had  had  either 
vague  or  greatly  exaggerated  notions. 

The  first  book,  therefore,  must  be  the  excuse  and  apology 
for  the  present  volume.  Indeed,  the  first  book  made  the 
second  a  necessity;  for,  immediately  upon  its  appearance, 
letters  and  correspondence  began  to  pour  in  upon  the  author 
from  all  parts  of  the  South.  Much  of  this  correspondence 

1  Uncle  Kemus ;  His  Songs  and  His  Sayings.  The  Folk-Lore  of  the  Old 
Plantation.  New  York.  D.  Appleton  &  Co.  1880. 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

was  very  valuable,  for  it  embodied  legends  that  had  escaped 
the  author's  memory,  and  contained  hints  and  suggestions 
that  led  to  some  very  interesting  discoveries.  The  result  is, 
that  the  present  volume  is  about  as  complete  as  it  could  be 
made  under  the  circumstances,  though  there  is  no  doubt  of 
the  existence  of  legends  and  myths,  especially  upon  the  rice 
plantations,  and  Sea  Islands  of  the  Georgia  and  Carolina 
sea-coast,  which,  owing  to  the  difficulties  that  stand  in  the 
way  of  those  who  attempt  to  gather  them,  are  not  included 
in  this  collection. 

It  is  safe  to  say,  however,  that  the  best  and  most  charac- 
teristic of  the  legends  current  on  the  rice  plantations  and  Sea 
Islands,  are  also  current  on  the  cotton  plantations.  Indeed, 
this  has  been  abundantly  verified  in  the  correspondence  of 
those  who  kindly  consented  to  aid  the  author  in  his  efforts 
to  secure  stories  told  by  the  negroes  on  the  sea-coast.  The 
great  majority  of  legends  and  stories  collected  and  for- 
warded by  these  generous  collaborators  had  already  been 
collected  among  the  negroes  on  the  cotton  plantations  and 
uplands  of  Georgia  and  other  Southern  States.  This  will 
account  for  the  comparatively  meagre  contribution  which 
Daddy  Jack,  the  old  African  of  the  rice  plantations,  makes 
towards  the  entertainment  of  the  little  boy. 

The  difficulty  of  verifying  the  legends,  which  came  to  hand 
from  various  sources,  has  been  almost  as  great  as  the 
attempt  to  procure  them  at  first  hands.  It  is  a  difficulty 
hard  to  describe.  It  is  sometimes  amusing,  and  sometimes 
irritating,  but  finally  comes  to  be  recognized  as  the  result  of 
a  very  serious  and  impressive  combination  of  negro  charac- 
teristics. The  late  Professor  Charles  F.  Hartt,  of  Cornell 
University,  in  his  admirable  monograph1  on  the  folk-lore  of 

1  Amazonian  Tortoise  Myths,  pp.  2  and  3. 


INTRODUCTION.  XI 

the  Amazon  regions  of  Brazil,  found  the  same  difficulty 
among  the  Amazonian  Indians.  Exploring  the  Amazoni- 
an valley,  Professor  Hartt  discovered  that  a  great  body  of 
myths  and  legends  had  its  existence  among  the  Indians  of 
that  region.  Being  aware  of  the  great  value  of  these  myths, 
he  set  himself  to  work  to  collect  them  ;  but  for  a  long  time  he 
found  the  task  an  impossible  one,  for  the  whites  were  unac- 
quainted with  the  Indian  folk-lore,  and  neither  by  coaxing 
nor  by  offers  of  money  could  an  Indian  be  persuaded  to 
relate  a  myth.  In  most  instances,  Professor  Hartt  was  met 
with  statements  to  the  effect  that  some  old  woman  of  the 
neighborhood  was  the  story-teller,  who  could  make  him 
laugh  with  tales  of  the  animals ;  but  he  never  could  find 
this  old  woman. 

But  one  night,  Professor  Hartt  heard  his  Indian  steersman 
telling  the  Indian  boatmen  a  story  in  order  to  keep  them 
awake.  This  Indian  steersman  was  full  of  these  stories,  but, 
for  a  long  time,  Professor  Hartt  found  it  impossible  to  coax 
this  steersman  to  tell  him  another.  He  discovered  that  the 
Indian  myth  is  always  related  without  mental  effort,  simply 
to  pass  the  time  away,  and  that  all  the  surroundings  must 
be  congenial  and  familiar. 

In  the  introduction  to  the  first  volume  of  "  Uncle  Remus  "J 
occurs  this  statement:  "Curiously  enough,  I  have  found 
few  negroes  who  will  acknowledge  to  a  stranger  that  they 
know  anything  of  these  legends  ;  and  yet  to  relate  one  is  the 
surest  road  to  their  confidence  and  esteem.*' 

This  statement  was  scarcely  emphatic  enough.  The 
thirty-four  legends  in  the  first  volume  were  comparatively 
easy  to  verify,  for  the  reason  that  they  were  the  most  popular 
among  the  negroes,  and  were  easily  remembered.  This  is 

1  P.  10. 


XII  INTRODUCTION. 

also  true  of  many  stories  in  the  present  volume ;  but  some 
of  them  appear  to  be  known  only  to  the  negroes  who 
have  the  gift  of  story- telling,  — a  gift  that  is  as  rare  among 
the  blacks  as  among  the  whites.  There  is  good  reason  to 
suppose,  too,  that  many  of  the  negroes  born  near  the  close 
of  the  war  or  since,  are  unfamiliar  with  the  great  body  of  their 
own  folk-lore.  They  have  heard  such  legends  as  the  "Tar- 
Baby  "  story  and  "  The  Moon  in  the  Mill-Pond,"  and  some 
others  equally  as  graphic  ;  but,  in  the  tumult  and  confusion 
incident  to  their  changed  condition,  they  have  had  few 
opportunities  to  become  acquainted  with  that  wonderful  col- 
lection of  tales  which  their  ancestors  told  in  the  kitchens  and 
cabins  of  the  Old  Plantation.  The  older  negroes  are  as  fond 
of  the  legends  as  ever,  but  the  occasion,  or  the  excuse,  for 
telling  them  becomes  less  frequent  year  by  year. 

With  a  fair  knowledge  of  the  negro  character,  and  long 
familiarity  with  the  manifold  peculiarities  of  the  negro 
mind  and  temperament,  the  writer  has,  nevertheless,  found  it 
a  difficult  task  to  verify  such  legends  as  he  had  not  already 
heard  in  some  shape  or  other.  But,  as  their  importance 
depended  upon  such  verification,  he  has  spared  neither 
pains  nor  patience  to  make  it  complete.  The  difficulties 
in  the  way  of  this  verification  would  undoubtedly  have 
been  fewer  if  the  writer  could  have  had  an  opportunity  to 
pursue  his  investigations  in  the  plantation  districts  of  Mid- 
dle Georgia ;  but  circumstances  prevented,  and  he  has  been 
compelled  to  depend  upon  such  opportunities  as  casually 
or  unexpectedly  presented  themselves. 

One  of  these  opportunities  occurred  in  the  summer  of 
1882,  at  Norcross,  a  little  railroad  station,  twenty  miles 
north-east  of  Atlanta.  The  writer  was  waiting  to  take 
the  train  to  Atlanta,  and  this  train,  as  it  fortunately 


INTRODUCTION,  XIII 

happened,  was  delayed.  At  the  station  were  a  number 
of  negroes,  who  had  been  engaged  in  working  on  the  rail- 
road. It  was  night,  and,  with  nothing  better  to  do,  they 
were  waiting  to  see  the  train  go  by.  Some  were  sitting 
in  little  groups  up  and  down  the  platform  of  the  station, 
and  some  were  perched  upon  a  pile  of  cross-ties.  They 
seemed  to  be  in  great  good-humor,  and  cracked  jokes 
at  each  other's  expense  in  the  midst  of  boisterous  shouts 
of  laughter.  The  writer  sat  next  to  one  of  the  liveliest 
talkers  in  the  part}7 ;  and,  after  listening  and  laughing 
awhile,  told  the  "  Tar  Baby  "  story  by  way  of  a  feeler,  the 
excuse  being  that  some  one  in  the  crowd  mentioned  "  Ole 
Molly  Har'."  The  story  was  told  in  a  low  tone,  as  if  to 
avoid  attracting  attention,  but  the  comments  of  the  negro, 
who  was  a  little  past  middle  age,  were  loud  and  frequent. 
u  Dar  now  !  "  he  would  exclaim,  or,  "  He's  a  honey,  mon  !  " 
or,  "  Gentermeus  !  git  out  de  way,  an'  gin  'im  room  ! " 

These  comments,  and  the  peals  of  unrestrained  and  un- 
restrainable  laughter  that  accompanied  them,  drew  the 
attention  of  the  other  negroes,  and  before  the  climax  of 
the  story  had  been  reached,  where  Brother  Rabbit  is  cruelly 
thrown  into  the  brier-patch,  they  had  all  gathered  around  and 
made  themselves  comfortable.  Without  waiting  to  see  what 
the  effect  of  the  "  Tar  Baby"  legend  would  be,  the  writer 
told  the  story  of  "  Brother  Rabbit  and  the  Mosquitoes,"  and 
this  had  the  effect  of  convulsing  them.  Two  or  three  could 
hardly  wait  for  the  conclusion,  so  anxious  were  they  to  tell 
stories  of  their  own.  The  result  was  that,  for  almost  two 
hours,  a  crowd  of  thirty  or  more  negroes  vied  with  each  other 
to  see  which  could  tell  the  most  and  the  best  stories.  Some 
told  them  poorly,  giving  only  meagre  outlines,  while  others 
told  them  passing  well ;  but  one  or  two,  if  their  language 


XVI  INTRODUCTION. 

other  animals  curiously  tangled,  and  changed,  and  inverted? 
Hlakanyana,  after  some  highly  suggestive  adventures,  kills 
two  cows  and  smears  the  blood  upon  a  sleeping  boy.1  The 
men  find  the  cows  dead,  and  ask  who  did  it.  They  then  see  the 
blood  upon  the  boy,  and  kill  him,  under  the  impression  that 
he  is  the  robber.  Compare  this  with  the  story  in  the  first 
volume  of  Uncle  Remus,  where  Brother  Rabbit  eats  the 
butter,  and  then  greases  Brother  Possum's  feet  and  mouth, 
thus  proving  the  latter  to  be  the  rogue.  Hlakanyaua  also 
eats  all  the  meat  in  the  pot,  and  smears  fat  on  the  mouth  of 
a  sleeping  old  man.  Hlakanyana's  feat  of  pretending  to  cure 
an  old  woman,  by  cooking  her  in  a  pot  of  boiling  water,  is 
identical  with  the  negro  story  of  how  Brother  Rabbit  dis- 
poses of  Grinny-Granuy  Wolf.  The  new  story  of  Brother 
Terrapin  and  Brother  Mink,  relating  how  they  had  a  diving- 
match,  in  order  to  see  who  should  become  the  possessor  of  a 
string  of  fish,  is  a  variant  of  the  Kaffir  story  of  Hlakanyana's 
diving-match  with  the  boy  for  some  birds.  Hlakanyana 
eats  the  birds  while  the  boy  is  under  water,  and  Brother  Ter- 
rapin disposes  of  the  fish  in  the  same  way ;  but  there  is  this 
curious  difference :  while  Hlakanyana  has  aided  the  boy  to 
catch  the  birds,  Brother  Terrapin  has  no  sort  of  interest  in 
the  fish.  The  negro  story  of  how  Brother  Rabbit  nailed 
Brother  Fox's  tail  to  the  roof  of  the  house,  and  thus  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  the  Fox's  dinner,  is  identical  with  Hlakan- 
yana's feat  of  sewing  the  Hyena's  tail  to  the  thatch.  When 
this  had  been  accomplished,  Hlakanyana  ate  all  the  meat  in 
the  pot,  and  threw  the  bones  at  the  Hyena. 

But  the  most  curious  parallel  of  all  exists  between  an 
episode  in  "  The  Story  of  Hlakanyana,"  and  the  story  of  how 
the  Bear  nursed  the  Alligators  (p.  353).  This  story  was 

1  P.  89. 


INTRODUCTION.  XVII 

gathered  by  Mrs.  Helen  S.  Barclay,  of  Darien,  Georgia, 
whose  appreciative  knowledge  of  the  character  and  dialect  of 
the  coast  negro  has  been  of  great  service  to  the  writer.  Hlakan- 
3'aua  came  to  the  house  of  a  Leopardess,  and  proposed  to  take 
care  of  her  children  while  the  Leopardess  went  to  hunt 
animals.  To  this  the  Leopardess  agreed.  There  were  four 
cubs,  and,  after  the  mother  was  gone,  Hlakanyana  took  one 
of  the  cubs  and  ate  it.  When  the  Leopardess  returned,  she 
asked  for  her  children,  that  she  might  suckle  them.  Hlakan- 
yana gave  one,  but  the  mother  asked  for  all.  Hlakanyana 
replied  that  it  was  better  one  should  drink  and  then  another ; 
and  to  this  the  Leopardess  agreed.  After  three  had  suckled, 
he  gave  the  first  one  back  a  second  time.  This  continued 
until  the  last  cub  was  eaten,  whereupon  Hlakanyana  ran 
away.  The  Leopardess  saw  him,  and  gave  pursuit.  He  ran 
under  a  big  rock,  and  began  to  cry  for  help.  The  Leopardess 
asked  him  what  the  matter  was.  "  Do  you  not  see  that  this 
rock  is  falling?"  replied  Hlakauyana.  "Just  hold  it  up 
while  I  get  a  prop  and  put  under  it."  While  the  Leopardess 
was  thus  engaged,  he  made  his  escape.  This,  it  will  be 
observed,  is  the  climax  of  a  negro  legend  entirely  different 
from  Daddy  Jack's  story  of  the  Bear  that  nursed  the  Alliga- 
tors, though  the  rock  becomes  a  fallen  tree.  In  the  ' '  Story  of 
the  Lion  and  the  Little  Jackal,"1  the  same  climax  takes  the 
shape  of  an  episode.  The  Lion  pursues  the  Jackal,  and  the 
latter  runs  under  an  overhanging  rock,  crying  "Help! 
help  !  this  rock  is  falling  on  me  !  "  The  Lion  goes  for  a  pole 
with  which  to  prop  up  the  rock,  and  so  the  Jackal  escapes. 
It  is  worthy  of  note  that  a  tortoise  or  terrapin,  which  stands 
next  to  Brother  Rabbit  in  the  folk-lore  of  the  Southern 
negroes,  is  the  cause  of  Hlakanyana's  death.  He  places  a 

i  Kaffir  Folk-Lore,  p.  178. 


XVIII  INTKODUCTION. 

Tortoise  on  his  back  and  carries  it  home.  His  mother  asks 
him  what  he  has  there,  and  he  tells  her  to  take  it  off  his 
back.  But  the  Tortoise  would  not  be  pulled  off,  Hlakan- 
yana's  mother  then  heated  some  fat,  and  attempted  to  pour 
it  on  the  Tortoise,  but  the  Tortoise  let  go  quickly,  and  the  fat 
fell  on  Hlakanyana  and  burnt  him  so  that  he  died.  The 
story  concludes:  "That  is  the  end  of  this  cunning  little 
fellow." 

Theal  also  gives  the  story  of  Demane  and  Demazana,1  a 
brother  and  sister,  who  were  compelled  to  run  away  from 
their  relatives  on  account  of  bad  treatment.  They  went  to 
live  in  a  cave  which  had  a  very  strong  door.  Demane  went 
hunting  by  day,  and  told  his  sister  not  to  roast  any  meat  in 
his  absence,  lest  the  cannibals  should  smell  it  and  discover 
their  hiding-place.  But  Demazana  would  not  obey.  She 
roasted  some  meat,  a  cannibal  smelt  it,  and  went  to  the 
cave,  but  found  the  door  fastened.  Thereupon  he  tried  to 
imitate  Demane's  voice,  singing  : 

"  Demazana,  Demazana, 
Child  of  my  mother , 
Open  this  cave  to  me. 
The  swallows  can  enter  it. 
It  has  two  apertures." 

The  cannibal's  voice  was  hoarse,- and  the  girl  would  not  let 
him  in.  Finally,  he  has  his  throat  burned  with  a  hot  iron, 
his  voice  is  changed,  and  the  girl  is  deceived.  He  enters 
and  captures  her.  Compare  this  with  the  story  of  the  Pigs, 
and  also  with  the  group  of  stories  of  which  Daddy  Jack's 
"  Cutta  Cord-la !  "  is  the  most  characteristic.  In  Middle 
Georgia,  it  will  be  observed,  Brother  Rabbit  and  his  children 

1  P.  111. 


INTRODUCTION.  XIX 

are  substituted  for  the  boy  and  his  sister ;  though  Miss 
Devereux,  of  Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  who,  together  with 
her  father,  Mr.  John  Devereux,  has  laid  the  writer  under 
many  obligations,  gathered  a  story  among  the  North  Caro- 
lina negroes  in  which  the  boy  and  the  sister  appear.  But  to 
return  to  the  Kaffir  story :  When  the  cannibal  is  carrying 
Demazana  away,  she  drops  ashes  along  the  path.  Demane 
returns  shortly  after  with  a  swarm  of  bees  which  he  has  capt- 
ured, and  finds  his  sister  gone.  By  means  of  the  ashes,  he 
follows  the  path  until  he  comes  to  the  cannibal's  house. 
The  family  are  out  gathering  wood,  but  the  cannibal  himself 
is  at  home,  and  has  just  put  Demazana  in  a  big  bag  where 
he  intends  to  keep  her  until  the  fire  is  made.  The  brother 
asks  for  a  drink  of  water.  The  cannibal  says  he  will  get 
him  some  if  he  will  promise  not  to  touch  his  bag.  Demane 
promises ;  but,  while  the  cannibal  is  gone  for  the  water, 
he  takes  his  sister  out  of  the  bag  and  substitutes  the  swarm 
of  bees.  When  the  cannibal  returns  with  the  water,  his 
family  also  return  with  the  firewood.  He  tells  his  wife 
there  is  something  nice  in  the  bag,  and  asks  her  to  bring  it. 
She  says  it  bites.  He  then  drives  them  all  out,  closes  the 
door,  and  opens  the  bag.  The  bees  fly  out  and  sting  him 
about  the  head  and  eyes  until  he  can  no  longer  see.  Com- 
pare this  with  the  negro  story  (No.  LXX.)  of  how  Brother 
Fox  captures  Brother  Terrapin.  Brother  Terrapin  is 
rescued  by  Brother  Rabbit,  who  substitutes  a  hornet's  nest. 
This  story  was  told  to  the  writer  by  a  colored  Baptist 
preacher  of  Atlanta,  named  Robert  Dupree,  and  also  by  a 
Henry  County  negro,  named  George  Ellis. 

Compare,  also,  the  Kaffir  u  Story  of  the  Great  Chief  of  the 
Animals,"1  with  the  negro  story  of  "  The  Fate  of  Mr.  Jack 

1  Kaffir  Folk-Lore,  p.  166. 


XX  INTRODUCTION. 

Sparrow."1  In  the  Kaffir  story,  a  woman  sees  the  chief  of 
the  animals  and  calls  out  that  she  is  hunting  for  her  children. 
The  animal  replies:  "  Come,  nearer;  I  cannot  hear  you." 
He  then  swallows  the  woman.  Jn  the  negro  story,  Mr.  Jack 
Sparrow  has  something  to  tell  Brother  Fox ;  but  the  latter 
pretends  he  is  deaf,  and  asks  Jack  Sparrow  to  jump  on  his 
tail,  on  his  back,  and  finally  on  his  tooth.  There  is  a  variant 
of  this  story  current  among  the  coast  negroes  where  the  Alli- 
gator is  substituted  for  the  Fox.  The  Kaffir  "  Story  of  the 
Hare,"  is  almost  identical  with  the  story  of  Wattle  Weasel 
in  the  present  volume.  The  story  of  Wattle  Weasel  was 
among  those  told  by  the  railroad  hands  at  Norcross,  but  had 
been  previously  sent  to  the  writer  by  a  lady  in  Selma,  Ala- 
bama, and  by  a  correspondent  in  Galveston.  In  another 
Kaffir  story,  the  Jackal  runs  into  a  hole  under  a  tree,  but  the 
Lion  catches  him  by  the  tail.  The  Jackal  cries  out :  "  That 
is  not  my  tail  you  have  hold  of.  It  is  a  root  of  the  tree. 
If  }TOU  don't  believe,  take  a  stone  and  strike  it  and  see  if  any 
blood  comes."  The  Lion  goes  to  hunt  for  a  stone,  and  the 
Jackal  crawls  far  into  the  hole.  In  the  first  volume  of  Uncle 
Remus,  Brother  Fox  tries  to  drown  Brother  Terrapin  ;  but  the 
latter  declares  that  his  tail  is  a  stump-root,  and  so  escapes. 
The  Amazonian  Indians  tell  of  a  Jaguar  who  catches  a  Tor- 
toise by  the  hind  leg  as  he  is  disappearing  in  his  hole  ;  but 
the  Tortoise  convinces  him  that  he  is  holding  a  tree-root. a 
In  the  Kaffir  story  of  the  Lion  and  the  Jackal,  the  latter 
made  himself  some  horns  from  beeswax  in  order  to  attend 
a  meeting  of  the  horned  cattle.  He  sat  near  the  fire  and 
went  to  sleep,  and  the  horns  melted,  so  that  he  was  dis- 
covered and  pursued  by  the  Lion.  In  a  negro  story  that  is 

1  Uncle  Reraus  :  His  Songs  and  Sayings,  xix,  p.  88. 
*  Amazonian  Tortoise  Myths,  p.  29. 


INTRODUCTION.  XXI 

very  popular,  Brother  Fox  ties  two  sticks  to  his  head,  and 
attends  the  meeting  of  the  horned  cattle,  but  is  cleverly  ex- 
posed by  Brother  Rabbit. 

There  is  a  plantation  proverb  current  among  the  negroes 
which  is  very  expressive.  Thus,  when  one  accidentally  steps 
in  mud  or  filth,  he  consoles  himself  by  sa3~ing  u  Good  thing 
foot  aint  got  no  nose."  Among  the  Kaffirs  there  is  a 
similar  proverb,  —  "The  foot  has  no  nose,"  —  but  Mr. 
TheaPs  educated  natives  have  given  it  a  queer  meaning.  It 
is  thus  interpreted :  "  This  proverb  is  an  exhortation  to  be 
hospitable.  It  is  as  if  one  said  :  Give  food  to  the  traveller, 
because  when  you  are  on  a  journey  your  foot  will  not  be  able 
to  smell  out  a  man  whom  you  have  turned  from  your  door, 
but,  to  your  shame,  ma}T  carry  you  to  his."  It  need  not  be 
said  that  this  is  rather  ahead  of  even  the  educated  Southern 
negroes. 

To  compare  the  negro  stories  in  the  present  volume  with 
those  translated  by  Bleek1  would  extend  this  introduction 
beyond  its  prescribed  limits,  but  such  a  comparison  would 
show  some  very  curious  parallels.  It  is  interesting  to  ob- 
serve, among  other  things,  that  the  story  of  How  the  Tortoise 
Outran  the  Deer, —  current  among  the  Amazonian  Indians, 
and  among  the  negroes  of  the  South, —  the  deer  sometimes  be- 
coming the  Rabbit  in  the  South,  and  the  carapalo,  or  cow- tick, 
sometimes  taking  the  place  of  the  Tortoise  on  the  Amazonas, 
—  has  a  curious  counterpart  in  the  Hottentot  Fables.2  One 
day,  to  quote  from  Bleek,  "  the  Tortoises  held  a  council  how 
they  might  hunt  Ostriches,  and  they  said  :  '  Let  us,  on  both 
sides,  stand  in  rows,  near  each  other,  and  let  one  go  to  hunt 

1  Reynard,  the  Fox,  in  South  Africa;  or,  Hottentot  Fables  and  Tales.    By 
W.  H.  I.  Bleek,  Ph.  D.    London,  1864. 

2  P.  32. 


XXII  INTRODUCTION. 

the  Ostriches,  so  that  they  must  flee  along  through  the  midst 
of  us.'  They  did  so,  and  as  they  were  many,  the  Ostriches 
were  obliged  to  run  along  through  the  midst  of  them.  During 
this  they  did  not  move,  but,  remaining  always  in  the  same 
places,  called  each  to  the  other:  'Are  you  there?'  and 
each  one  answered  :  '  I  am  here.'  The  Ostriches,  hearing 
this,  ran  so  tremendously  that  they  quite  exhausted  their 
strength,  and  fell  down.  Then  the  Tortoises  assembled  by 
and  by  at  the  place  where  the  Ostriches  had  fallen,  and 
devoured  them."  There  is  also  a  curious  variant1  of  the 
negro  story  of  how  Brother  Rabbit  escapes  from  Brother  Fox 
by  persuading  him  to  fold  his  hands  and  say  grace.  In  the 
Hottentot  story,  the  Jackal  catches  the  Cock,  and  is  about 
to  eat  him,  when  the  latter  says  :  "Please  pra}T  before  you 
kill  me,  as  the  white  man  does."  The  Jackal  desires  to 
know  how  the  white  man  prays.  "  He  folds  his  hands  in 
praying,"  says  the  Cock.  This  the  Jackal  does,  but  the  Cock 
tells  the  Jackal  he  should  also  shut  his  eyes.  Whereupon  the 
Cock  flies  away. 

In  his  preface,  Bleek  says  that  the  Hottentot  fable  of 
the  White  Man  and  the  Snake  is  clearly  of  European  origin ; 
but  this  is  at  least  doubtful.  The  Man  rescues  the  Snake 
from  beneath  a  rock,  whereupon  the  Snake  announces  her 
intention  of  biting  her  deliverer.  The  matter  is  referred  to 
the  Hyena,  who  says  to  the  Man:  "If  you  were  bitten, 
what  would  it  matter?  "  But  the  Man  proposed  to  consult 
other  wise  people  before  being  bit,  and  after  a  while  they  met 
the  Jackal.  The  case  was  laid  before  him.  The  Jackal  said 
he  would  not  believe  that  the  Snake  could  be  covered  by  a 
stone  so  that  she  could  not  rise,  unless  he  saw  it  with  his  two 
eyes.  The  Snake  submitted  to  the  test,  and  when  she  was 

1  Bleek,  p.  23. 


INTRODUCTION.  XXIII 

covered  by  the  stone  the  Jackal  advised  the  Man  to  go  away 
and  leave  her.  Now,  there  is  not  only  a  variant  of  this 
story  current  among  the  Southern  negroes  (which  is  given 
in  the  present  volume) ,  where  Brother  Rabbit  takes  the  place 
of  the  Man,  Brother  Wolf  the  place  of  the  Snake,  and 
Brother  Terrapin  the  place  of  the  Jackal,  but  Dr.  Couto  De 
Magalhaes1  gives  in  modern  Tupi,  a  story  where  the  Fox  or 
Opossum  finds  a  Jaguar  in  a  hole.  He  helps  the  Jaguar  out, 
and  the  latter  then  threatens  to  eat  him.  The  Fox  or  Opos- 
sum proposes  to  lay  the  matter  before  a  wise  man  who  is 
passing  by,  with  the  result  that  the  Jaguar  is  placed  back  in 
the  hole  and  left  there. 

With  respect  to  the  Tortoise  myths,  and  other  animal  stories 
gathered  on  the  Amazons,  by  Professor  Hartt,  and  Mr. 
Herbert  Smith,  it  may  be  said  that  all  or  nearly  all  of  them, 
have  their  variants  among  the  negroes  of  the  Southern  plan- 
tations. This  would  constitute  a  very  curious  fact  if  the 
matter  were  left  where  Professor  Hartt  left  it  when  his  mono- 
graph was  written.  In  that  monograph2  he  sa}"s :  u  The 
myths  I  have  placed  on  record  in  this  little  paper  have, 
without  doubt,  a  wide  currency  on  the  Amazouas,  but  I  have 
found  them  only  among  the  Indian  populat  ion,  and  they  are 
all  collected  in  the  Lingua  Geral.  All  my  attempts  to  obtain 
myths  from  the  negroes  on  the  Amazonas  proved  failures. 
Dr.  Couto  de  Magalhaes,  who  has  recently  followed  me  in 
these  researches,  has  had  the  same  experience.  The  proba- 
bility, therefore,  seems  to  be  that  the  myths  are  indigenous, 
but  I  do  not  yet  consider  the  case  proven."  Professor  Hartt 
lived  to  prove  just  the  contrary  ;  but,  unfortunately,  he  did 

1 0'Selvagera,  p.  237.     Quoted  by  Mr.  Herbert  H.   Smith,  in  his  work 
"  Brazil  and  the  Amazons." 
*  P.  37. 


XXIV  INTRODUCTION. 

not  live  to  publish  the  result  of  his  investigations.  Mr. 
Orville  A.  Derby,  a  friend  of  Professor  Hartt,  writes  as  fol- 
lows from  Rio  de  Janeiro  :  — 

DEAR  SIR, — In  reading  the  preface  to  Uncle  Remus,1  it  occurred 
to  me  taat  an  observation  made  by  my  late  friend  Professor  Charles 
Fred.  Hartt,  would  be  of  interest  to  you. 

At  the  time  of  the  publication  of  his  Amazonian  Tortoise  Myths, 
Professor  Hartt  was  in  doubt  whether  to  regard  the  myths  of  the  Ama- 
zonian Indians  as  indigenous  or  introduced  from  Africa.  To  this 
question  he  devoted  a  great  deal  of  attention,  making  a  careful  and, 
for  a  long  time,  fruitless  search  among  the  Africans  of  this  city  for 
some  one  who  could  give  undoubted  African  myths.  Finally  he  had 
the  good  fortune  to  find  an  intelligent  English-speaking  Mina  black, 
whose  only  knowledge  of  Portuguese  was  a  very  few  words  which  he 
had  picked  up  during  the  short  time  he  had  been  in  this  country,  a 
circumstance  which  strongly  confirms  his  statement  that  the  myths 
related  by  him  were  really  brought  from  Africa.  From  this  man  Pro- 
fessor Hartt  obtained  variants  of  all  or  nearly  all  of  the  best  known 
Brazilian  animal  myths  and  convinced  himself  that  this  class  is  not 
native  to  this  country.  The  spread  of  these  myths  among  the  Amazo- 
nian Indians  is  readily  explained  by  the  intimate  association  of  the 
two  races  for  over  two  hundred  years,  the  taking  character  of  the 
myths,  and  the  Indian's  love  for  stories  of  this  class,  in  which  he 
naturally  introduces  the  animals  familiar  to  him 

Yours  truly, 

ORVILLE  A.  DERBY. 

Caixa  em  Correio,  2fo.  721, 
Rio  de  Janeiro. 

Those  who  are  best  acquainted  with  the  spirit,  movement, 
and  motive  of  African  legends  will  accept  Mr.  Derby's  state- 
ment as  conclusive.  It  has  been  suspected  even  by  Profes- 
sor J.  W.  Powell,  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  that  the 

1  The  first  volume. 


INTRODUCTION.  XXV 

Southern  negroes  obtained  their  myths  and  legends  from  the 
Indians,  but  it  is  impossible  to  adduce  in  support  of  such  a 
theory  a  scintilla  of  evidence  that  cannot  be  used  in  support 
of  just  the  opposite  theory  —  namely :  that  the  Indians  bor- 
rowed their  stories  from  the  negroes.  The  truth  seems  to  be 
that,  while  both  the  Indians  and  the  negroes  have  stories 
peculiar  to  their  widely  different  races  and  temperaments, 
and  to  their  widely  different  ideas  of  humor,  the  Indians  have 
not  hesitated  to  borrow  from  the  negroes.  The  "  Tar  Baby" 
story,  which  is  unquestionably  a  negro  legend  in  its  concep- 
tion, is  current  among  many  tribes  of  Indians.  So  with  the 
story  of  how  the  Rabbit  makes  a  riding-horse  of  the  Fox  or 
the  Wolf.  This  story  is  also  current  among  the  Amazonian 
Indians.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the  negro  coast  story 
"  Why  the  Alligator's  Back  is  Rough."  Mr.  W.  O.  Tuggle, 
of  Georgia,  who  has  recently  made  an  exhaustive  study  of 
the  folk-lore  of  the  Creek  Indians,  has  discovered  among 
them  many  legends,  which  were  undoubtedly  borrowed  from 
the  negroes,  including  those  already  mentioned,  the  story  of 
how  the  Terrapin  outran  the  Deer,  and  the  story  of  the  dis- 
contented Rabbit,  who  asks  his  Creator  to  give  him  more 
sense.  In  the  negro  legend,  it  will  be  observed,  the  Rabbit 
seeks  out  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Monej",  the  old  Witch-Rab- 
bit. It  may  be  mentioned  here,  that  the  various  branches  of 
the  Algonkiau  family  of  Indians,  allude  to  the  Great  White 
Rabbit  as  their  common  ancestor.1  All  inquiries  among  the 
negroes,  as  to  the  origin  and  personality  of  Mammy-Bammy 
Big-Money,  elicit  but  two  replies.  Some  know,  or  even  pre- 
tend to  know,  nothing  about  her.  The  rest  say,  with  entire 
unanimity,  "Hit's  des  de  old  Witch-Rabbit  w'at  you  done 
year'd  talk  un  'fo'  now.'*  Mrs.  Prioleau,  of  Memphis,  sent 

1  D.  G.  Brinton's  Myths,  pp.  161-176. 


XXVI  INTRODUCTION. 

the  writer  a  negro  story  in  which  the  name  "Big-Money" 
was  vaguely  used.  It  was  some  time  before  that  story  could 
be  verified.  In  conversation  one  clay  with  a  negro,  casual 
allusion  was  made  to  "•  Big-Money."  uAha!"  said  the 
negro,  "  Now  I  know.  You  talkin'  'bout  ole  Mammy-Bam- 
my  Big-Money,"  and  then  he  went  on  to  tell,  not  only  the 
story  which  Mrs.  Prioleau  had  kindly  sent,  but  the  story  of 
Brother  Rabbit's  visit  to  the  old  Witch-Rabbit. 

Mr.  Tuggle's  collection  of  Creek  legends  will  probably  be 
published  under  the  auspices  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 
audit  will  form  a  noteworthy  contribution  to  the  literature  of 
American  folk-lore.  In  the  Creek  version  of  the  origin  of  the 
ocean,  the  stream  which  the  Lion  jumps  across  is  called 
Throwing-Hot-Ashes-on-You.  Another  Creek  legend,  which 
bears  the  ear-marks  of  the  negroes,  but  which  the  writer  has 
been  unable  to  find  among  them,  explains  why  the  Possum 
has  no  hair  on  his  tail.  It  seems  that  Noah,  in  taking  the 
animals  into  the  ark,  forgot  the  Possums,  but  a  female  Pos- 
sum clung  to  the  side  of  the  vessel,  and  her  tail  dragging1  in 
the  water,  all  the  hair  came  off.  No  male  Possum,  according 
to  the  story,  was  saved.  Mr.  Tuggle  has  also  found  among  the 
Creeks  a  legend  which  gives  the  origin  of  fire.  One  time, 
in  the  beginning,  the  people  all  wanted  fire,  and  they  came 
together  to  discuss  the  best  plan  of  getting  it.  It  was  finally 
agreed  that  the  Rabbit  (Chufee)  should  go  for  it.  He 
went  across  the  great  water  to  the  east,  and  was  there 
received  with  acclamation  as  a  visitor  from  the  New 
World.  A  great  dance  was  ordered  in  his  honor.  They 
danced  around  a  large  fire,  and  the  Rabbit  entered  the 
circle  dressed  very  gayly.  He  had  a  peculiar  cap  upon 
his  head,  and  in  this  cap,  in  place  of  feathers,  he 
had  stuck  four  sticks  of  resin,  or  resinous  pine.  As  the 


INTRODUCTION.  XXVII 

people  danced,  they  came  near  the  fire  in  the  centre  of  the 
circle,  and  the  Rabbit  also  approached  near  the  fire.  Some 
of  the  dancers  would  reach  down  and  touch  the  fire  as  they 
danced,  while  the  Rabbit,  as  he  came  near  the  fire,  would 
bow  his  head  to  the  flame.  No  one  thought  anything  of 
this,  and  he  continued  to  bow  to  the  fire,  each  time  bowing 
his  head  lower.  At  last  he  touched  the  flame  with  his  cap, 
and  the  sticks  of  resin  caught  on  fire  and  blazed  forth. 
Away  he  ran,  the  people  pursuing  the  sacrilegious  visitor. 
The  Rabbit  ran  to  the  great  water,  plunged  in,  and  swam 
away  to  the  New  World  ;  and  thus  was  fire  obtained  for  the 
people. 

The  student  of  folk-lore,  who  will  take  into  consideration 
the  widely  differing  peculiarities  and  characteristics  of  the 
negroes  and  the  Indians,  will  have  no  difficulty,  after  making 
due  allowance  for  the  apparent  universal  it}-  of  all  primitive 
folk-stories,  in  distinguishing  between  the  myths  or  legends 
of  the  two  races,  though  it  sometimes  happens,  as  in 
the  case  of  the  negro  story  of  the  Rabbit,  the  Wildcat, 
and  the  Turkeys,  that  the  stories  are  built  upon  until 
they  are  made  to  fit  the  peculiarities  of  the  race  that 
borrows  them.  The  Creek  version  of  the  Rabbit,  Wildcat, 
and  Turkey  story  is  to  the  effect  that  the  Wildcat  pretended 
to  be  dead,  and  the  Rabbit  persuaded  the  Turkeys  to  go  near 
him.  When  they  are  near  enough,  the  R:ibbit  exclaims : 
"  Jump  up  and  catch  a  red-leg!  jump  up  and  catch  a  red- 
leg  !  "  The  Wildcat  catches  one,  and  proceeds  to  eat  it, 
whereupon  the  Turkeys  pursue  the  Rabbit,  and  peck  and  nip 
him  until  his  tail  comes  off,  and  this  is  the  reason  the  Rabbit 
has  a  short  tail.  The  Creeks,  as  well  as  other  tribes,  were 
long  in  contact  with  the  negroes,  some  of  them  were  owners 
of  slaves,  and  it  is  perhaps  in  this  way  that  the  animal 


XXVIII  INTRODUCTION. 

stories  of  the  two  races  became  in  a  measure  blended.  The 
discussion  of  this  subject  cannot  be  pursued  here,  but  it  is 
an  interesting  one.  It  offers  a  wide  field  for  both  specula- 
tion and  investigation. 

The  "  Cutta  Cord-la  "  story  (p.  241)  of  Daddy  Jack  is  in 
some  respects  unique.  It  was  sent  to  the  writer  by  ifrrs. 
Martha  B.  Washington,  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  and 
there  seems  to  be  no  doubt  that  it  originated  in  San  Domingo, 
or  Martinique.  The  story  of  how  Brother  Rabbit  drove  all  the 
other  animals  out  of  the  new  house  they  had  built,  by  firing 
a  cannon  and  pouring  a  tub  of  water  down  the  stairway,  has 
its  variant  in  Demerara.  Indeed,  it  was  by  means  of  this 
variant,  sent  by  Mr.  Wendell  P.  Garrison,  of  "  The  Nation" 
(New  York) ,  that  the  negro  story  was  procured. 

In  the  introduction  to  the  first  volume  of  Uncle  Remus,  a 
lame  apology  was  made  for  inflicting  a  book  of  dialect  upon 
the  public.  Perhaps  a  similar  apology  should  be  made  here  ; 
but  the  discriminating  reader  does  not  need  to  be  told  that  it 
would  be  impossible  to  separate  these  stories  from  the  idiom 
in  which  they  have  been  recited  for  generations.  The  dia- 
lect is  a  part  of  the  legends  themselves,  and  to  present  them 
in  any  other  way  would  be  to  rob  them  of  everything  that 
gives  them  vitality.  The  dialect  of  Daddy  Jack,  which  is 
that  of  the  negroes  on  the  Sea  Islands  and  the  rice  planta- 
tions, though  it  may  seem  at  first  glance  to  be  more  difficult 
than  that  of  Uncle  Remus,  is,  in  reality,  simpler  and  more 
direct.  It  is  the  negro  dialect  in  its  most  primitive  state  — • 
the  "  Gullah "  talk  of  some  of  the  negroes  on  the  Sea 
Islands,  being  merely  a  confused  and  untranslatable  mixture 
of  English  and  African  words.  In  the  introductory  notes  to 
"  Slave  Songs  of  the  United  States  "  may  be  found  an  ex- 
position of  Daddy  Jack's  dialect  as  complete  as  any  that 


INTRODUCTION.  XXIX 

can  be  given  here.  A  key  to  the  dialect  may  be  given  very 
briefly.  The  vocabulary  is  not  an  extensive  one  —  more 
depending  upon  the  manner,  the  form  of  expression,  and  the 
inflection,  than  upon  the  words  employed.  It  is  thus  an  admi- 
rable vehicle  for  story-telling.  It  recognizes  no  gender,  and 
scorns  the  use  of  the  plural  number  except  accidentally. 
" 'E  "  stands  for  "he"  "  she"  or  "it,"  and  "dem"  may 
allude  to  one  thing,  or  may  include  a  thousand.  The  dialect  is 
laconic  and  yet  rambling,  full  of  repetitions,  and  abounding 
in  curious  elisions,  that  give  an  unexpected  quaintness  to  the 
simplest  statements.  A  glance  at  the  following  vocabulary 
will  enable  the  reader  to  understand  Daddy  Jack's  dialect 
perfectly,  though  allowance  must  be  made  for  inversions  and 
elisions. 

B'er,  brother.  Scm,  same. 

Beer,  bear.  Shum,  see  them,  saw  them. 

Bittle,  victuals.  Tarn,  time. 

Brett,  breath.  'Tan',  stand. 

Buckra, white  man,  overseer,  boss.  Tankee,  thanks,  thank  you. 

Churrah,  churray,  spill,  splash.  Tark,  or  tahlk,  talk. 

Da,  the,  that.  Tek,  take. 

Dey-dey,  here,  down  there,  right  Teer,  tear. 

here.  T'ink,  or  fought,  think,  thought. 

Dey,  there.  Titty,  or  titter,  sissy,  sister. 

Enty,  ain't  he?  an  exclamation  of  T'row,  throw. 

astonishment  or  assent.  Trute,  truth. 

Gwan,  going.  Turrer,  or  tarrdh,  the  other. 

Leaf,  leave.  Tusty,  thirsty. 

Lif,  live.  Urrcr,  other. 

Lil,  lil-a,  or  lilly,  little.  Wey,  where. 

Lun,  learn.  Wun,  when, 

Mek,  make.  Wut,  what. 

Oona,  you,  all  of  you.  Y'et  or  ut,  earth. 

Neat" ,   or  nead,   underneath,   be-  Teddy,  or  yerry,  heard,  hear. 

neath.  Yent,  aint,  isn't. 


XXX  INTRODUCTION. 

The  trick  of  adding  a  vowel  to  sound  words  is  not  un- 
pleasing  to  the  ear.  Thus  :  "  I  bin-a  wait  fer  you  ;  come-a 
ring-a  dem  bell.  Wut  mek-a  (or  mekky)  you  stay  so?'* 
"  Yeddy,"  "  yerry,"  and  probably  "  churry  "  are  the  result 
of  this  —  heard-a,  yeard-a,  yeddy  ;  hear-a,  year-a,  yerry  ; 
chur-a  churray.  When  "  eye  "  is  written  "  y-eye,"  it  is  to 
be  pronounced  "  yi."  In  such  words  as  "  back,"  "  ax,"  a 
has  the  sound  of  ah.  They  are  written  "  batik,"  "ahx." 

Professor  J.  A.  Harrison  of  the  Washington  and  Lee  Uni- 
versity, Lexington,  Virginia,  has  recently  written  a  paper  on 
u  The  Creole  patois  of  Louisiana,"1  which  is  full  of  interest 
to  those  interested  in  the  stud}'  of  dialects.  In  the  course  of 
his  paper,  Professor  Harrison  says  :  "  Many  philologists  have 
noted  the  felicitous  aldtoTri^etv  of  Uncle  Remus  in  the  negro  dia- 
lect of  the  South.  The  Creole  lends  itself  no  less  felicitousl}' 
to  the  recit  and  to  the  conte,  as  we  may  say  on  good  authority. 
The  fables  of  La  Fontaine  and  Perrin,  and  the  Gospel  of  St. 
John  have,  indeed,  been  translated  into  the  dialect  of  San 
Domingo  or  Martinique  ;  lately  we  have  had  a  Greek  pleni- 
potentiary turning  Dante  into  the  idiom  of  New  Hellas ; 
what  next?  Any  one  who  has  seen  the  delightful  'Chansons 
Canadiennes'  of  M.  Ernest  Gagnon  (Quebec,  1880)  knows 
what  pleasant  things  ma}T  spring  from  the  nai've  conscious- 
ness of  the  people.  The  Creole  of  Louisiana  lends  itself 
admirably  to  those  petits  poemcs,  those  simple  little  dramatic 
tales,  compositions,  improvisations,  which,  shunning  the 
regions  of  abstraction  and  metaphysics,  recount  the  experi- 
ences of  a  story-teller,  put  into  striking  and  pregnant 
syllabuses  the  memorabilia  of  some  simple  life,  or  sum  up  in 
pointed  monosyllables  the  humor  of  plantation  anecdote." 
Professor  Harrison  alludes  to  interesting  examples  of  the 

!The  American  Journal  of  Philology,  vol.  III.,  no.  11. 


INTRODUCTION.  XXXI 

Creole  negro  dialect  that  occur  in  the  works  of  Mr.  George 
W.  Cable,  and  in  "  L' Habitation  Saint-Ybars,"  by  Dr. 
Alfred  Mercier,  an  accomplished  physician  and  litterateur  of 
New  Orleans.  In  order  to  show  the  possibilities  of  the  Creole 
negro  dialect,  the  following  Conte  Ne.gre,  after  Dr.  Mercier, 
is  given.  The  story  is  quoted  by  Professor  Harrison,  and 
the  literal  interlinear  version  is  inserted  by  him  to  give  a 
clue  to  the  meaning.  The  Miss  Meadows  of  the  Georgia 
negro,  it  will  be  perceived,  becomes  Mamzel  Calinda,  and 
the  story  is  one  with  which  the  readers  of  the  first  volume  of 
Uncle  Remus  are  familiar.  It  is  entitled  "  Mariage  Mile. 
Calinda." 

1.  Dan  tan  le  zote  foi,  compair  Chivreil  ave  compair 

Dans  temps  les  autres  fois,  compere  Chevreuil  avec  compere 

2.  Torti  te  tou  le  de  ape  fe  lamou  a  Mamzel  Calinda. 

Tortue  etaient  tous  les  deux  apres  faire  1'amour  a  Mademoiselle 
Calinda. 

3.  Mamzel  Calinda  te  linmin  mie  compair  Chivreil,  cofair 

Mile.  Calinda  avait  aime  mieux  compere  Chevreuil,  [pour]  quoi 
faire 

4.  li  pli  vaian ;  me  li  t6  linmin  compair  Torti  oucite, 

le  plus  vaillant ;  mais  elle  avait  aime  compere  Tortue  aussi, 

5.  li  si  tan  gagnin  bon  tchor !     Popa  Mamzel  Calinda  di  li : 
il  si  tant  gagner  bon  cceur !     Papa  Mile.  Calinda  dire  lui : 

6.  "Mo  fie,  li  tan  to  maie ;  fo  to  soizi  cila  to  oule."    Landimin, 
"Ma  fille,  il  (est)    temps  te   marier;  faut  te   choisir   cela  tu 

voulez."     Lendemain, 

7.  compair  Chivreil  ave  compair  Torti  rive  tou  ye  de  cot6  Mile.  C. 
compere  Chevreuil  avec  compere  Tortue  arriver  tous  eux  de  cote 

Mile.  C. 

8.  Mamzel  C.,  qui  te  zongle  tou  la  nouite,  di  ye  :  "Michie  Chivreil 

ave 

Mile.  C.,  qui  avait  songe   toute  la  nuit,  dire  eux:  "Monsieur 
Chevreuil  avec 


XXXIV  INTRODUCTION. 

39.  di."     "Eben!    couri  pare  pou  sove  lonnair  nou  nachion," 
dire."     "Ehbien!    courir  preparer  pour  sauver  Phonneur  notre 

nation." 

40.  Compair  Torti  couri  cote  compair  Chivreil  e  range  tou 
Compere  Tortue  courir  cote  compere  Chevreuil  et  arranger  tout 

41.  kichoge  compair  Zavoca  di  li.     Compair  Chivreil  si  tan  sire 
quelquechose  compere   Avocat  dire  lui.     Compere  Chevreuil  si 

tant  sur 

42.  gagnin  lacourse,  li  di  oui  tou  ca  compair  Torti  oule. 

gagner  la  course,  lui  dire  oui  tout  cela  compere  Tortue  vouloir 

43.  Landimin  bon  matin,  tou  zabitan  semble  pou  oua 
Lendemain  bon  matin,  tous  habitants  assembler  pour  voir 

44.  gran  lacourse.     Can  lhair  rive,  compair  Chivreil  ave 

grande  la  course.    Quand  1'heure  arriver,  compere  Chevreuil  avec 

45.  compair  Torti  tou  le  de  pare.     Jige  la  crie  :  "  Go  !  "   e  ye 
compere  Tortue  tous  les  deux  prepares.      Juge  la  crier  :  "  Go !  " 

et  eux 

46.  parti  galope.     Tan  compair  Chivreil  rive  cote  priinie 

partir  galopper.     Temps  compere  Chevreuil  arriver  cote  premier 

47.  zalon,  li  hele  :  "  Halo,  compair  Torti  !  "    "  Mo  la,  compair 
jalon,  lui  heler :  "Halo,  compere  Tortue!"  "  Moi  la,  compere 

48.  Chivreil !  "   Tan  ye  rive  dezieme  zalon,  compair  Chivreil 
Chevreuil !  "  Temps  eux  arriver  deuxieme  jalon,  compere  Chev- 
reuil 

49.  siffle:    "Fioute!"     Compair  Torti  reponne :    "Croak!"    Troi- 

sieme 

siffler  :  "  Fioute  !  "   Compere  Tortue  repondre  :  "  Croak !  "  Troi- 
sieme 

50.  zalon  boute,  compair  Torti  tink-a-tink  ave  compair 

jalon  au  bout,  compere  Tortue  tingue-a-tingue  avec  compere 

51.  Chivreil.     "  Diabe  !    Torti  la  galope  pli  vite 
Chevreuil.     "  Diable  !   Tortue  la  galopper  plus  vite 

52.  pace  stimbotte ;  fo  mo  grouye  mo  cor."     Tan  compair 

passe  steamboat;  faut  moi  grouiller  mon  corps."     Temps  com- 
pere 
63.     Chivreil  rive  cote  nevieme  zalon,  li  oua  compair  Torti 

Chevreuil  arriver  cote  neuvieme  jalon,  lui  voir  compere  Tortue 


INTRODUCTION.  XXXV 

54.  ape  patchiou  dan  dolo.  Li  mete  tou  so  laforce 

apres  patchiou  !  dans  de  1'eau.  Lui  mettre  toute  sa  la  force 

65.  dihior  pou  aien ;  avan  li  rive  cote  bite,  li  tende 

dehors  pour  rien  ;  avant  lui  arriver  cote  but,  lui  entendre 

56.  tou  monne  ape  hele  :  "  Houra !   houra !    pou  compair  Torti !  " 
tout  monde  apres  heler  :  "Hourra!    hourra!  pour  compere  Tor- 

tue !  " 

57.  Tan  li  rive,  li  oua  compair  Torti  on  la  garlie  ap6 

Temps  lui  arriver,  lui  voir  compere  Tortue  en  la  galerie  apres 

58.  brasse  Mamzel  Calinda.     £a  fe  li  si  tan  mal,  li 
embrasser  Mile.  Calinda.     Cela  faire  lui  si  tant  mal,  lui 

59.  sape  dan  boi.     Compair  Torti  maie  ave  Mamzel  Calinda 
s'echapper  dans  bois.     Compere  Tortue  marier  avec   Mile.    Ca- 
linda 

60.  samedi  ap6  vini,  6  tou  monne  manz6,  boi,  jika 
samedi  apres  venir,  ettout  monde  manger,  boire  jusqu'a 

61.  y  tchiak.1 
eux  griser. 

It  only  remains  to  be  said  that  none  of  the  stories  given 
in  the  present  volume  are  "  cooked."  They  are  given  in  the 
simple  but  picturesque  language  of  the  negroes,  just  as  the 
negroes  tell  them.  The  Ghost-story,  in  which  the  dead 
woman  returns  in  search  of  the  silver  that  had  been  placed 
upon  her  eyes,  is  undoubtedly  of  white  origin ;  but  Mr. 
Samuel  L.  Clemens  (Mark  Twain)  heard  it  among  the 
negroes  of  Florida,  Missouri,  where  it  was  "The  Woman 
with  the  Golden  Arm."  Fortunately,  it  was  placed  in  the 
mouth  of  Tildy,  the  house-girl,  who  must  be  supposed  to 
have  heard  her  mistress  tell  it.  But  it  has  been  negroized  to 
such  an  extent  that  it  may  be  classed  as  a  negro  legend  ;  and 
it  is  possible  that  the  white  version  is  itself  based  upon  a 

1  Tchiak  is  the  name  given  by  the  Creole  negroes  to  the  starling,  which,  Dr.  Mer- 
cier  tells  me,  is  applied  adjectively  to  express  various  states  of  spirituous  exhilaration. 
—Note  by  Prof.  Harrison. 


XXXVI  INTRODUCTION. 

negro  story.  At  any  rate,  it  was  told  to  the  writer  by  dif- 
ferent negroes  ;  and  he  saw  no  reason  to  doubt  its  authenticity 
until  after  a  large  portion  of  the  book  was  in  type.  His 
relations  to  the  stories  are  simply  those  of  editor  and  com- 
piler. He  has  written  them  as  they  came  to  him,  and  he  is 
responsible  only  for  the  setting.  He  has  endeavored  to  pro- 
ject them  upon  the  background  and  to  give  them  the  surround- 
ings which  they  had  in  the  old  days  that  are  no  more  ;  and 
it  has  been  his  purpose  to  give  in  their  recital  a  glimpse  of 
plantation  life  in  the  South  before  the  war.  If  the  reader, 
therefore,  will  exercise  his  imagination  to  the  extent  of  be- 
lieving that  the  stories  are  told  to  a  little  boy  by  a  group  of 
negroes  on  a  plantation  in  Middle  Georgia,  before  the  war, 
he  will  need  neither  foot-note  nor  explanation  to  guide  him. 
In  the  preparation  of  this  volume  the  writer  has  been 
placed  under  obligations  to  many  kind  friends.  But  for  the 
ready  sympathy  and  encouragement  of  the  proprietors  of 
"  The  Atlanta  Constitution" —  but  for  their  generosity,  it  may 
be  said  —  the  writer  would  never  have  found  opportunity  to 
verify  the  stories  and  prepare  them  for  the  press.  He  is  also 
indebted  to  hundreds  of  kind  correspondents  in  all  parts  of 
the  Southern  States,  who  have  interested  themselves  in  the 
work  of  collecting  the  legends.  He  is  particularly  indebted 
to  Mrs.  Helen  S.  Barclay,  of  Darieu,  to  Mr.  W.  O.  Toggle, 
to  Hon.  Charles  C.  Jones,  Jr.,  to  the  accomplished  daughters 
of  Mr.  Griswold,  of  Clinton,  Georgia,  and  to  Mr.  John 
Devereux,  Jr.,  and  Miss  Devereux,  of  Raleigh,  North 
Carolina.  J.  C.  H. 

ATLANTA,  GEORGIA. 


NIGHTS   WITH   UNCLE   EEMUS. 


NOTE. 

To  give  a  cue  to  the  imagination  of  the  reader,  it 
may  be  necessary  to  state  that  the  stories  related  in 
this  volume  are  supposed  to  be  told  to  a  little  boy 
on  a  Southern  plantation,  before  the  war,  by  an  old 
family  servant. 


NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 


MR.  FOX  AND  MISS  GOOSE. 

IT  had  been  raining  all  day  so  that  Uncle  Remus  found 
it  impossible  to  go  out.  The  storm  had  begun,  the  old 
man  declared,  just  as  the  chickens  were  crowing  for  day, 
and  it  had  continued  almost  without  intermission.  The 
dark  gray  clouds  had  blotted  out  the  sun,  and  the  leafless 
limbs  of  the  tall  oaks  surrendered  themselves  drearily  to 
the  fantastic  gusts  that  drove  the  drizzle  fitfully  before 
them.  The  lady  to  whom  Uncle  Remus  belonged  had 
been  thoughtful  of  the  old  man,  and  'Tildy,  the  house-girl, 
had  been  commissioned  to  carry  him  his  meals.  This 
arrangement  came  to  the  knowledge  of  the  little  boy  at 
supper  time,  and  he  lost  no  time  in  obtaining  permission  to 
accompany  'Tildy. 

Uncle  Remus  made  a  great  demonstration  over  the 
thoughful  kindness  of  his  "Miss  Sally." 

"  Ef  she  aint  one  blessid  w'ite  'oman,"  he  said,  in  his 
simple,  fervent  way,  "den  dey  aint  none  un  um  Voun'  in 
deze  parts." 

With  that  he  addressed  himself  to  the  supper,  while  the 
little  boy  sat  by  and  eyed  him  with  that  familiar  curiosity 


WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

common  to  children.  Finally  the  youngster  disturbed 
the  old  man  with  an  inquiry  : 

"Uncle  Remus,  do  geese  stand  on  one  leg  all  night,  or 
do  they  sit  down  to  sleep  ?  " 

"Tooby  sho'  dey  does,  honey;  dey  sets  down  same  ez 
you  does.  Co'se,  dey  don't  cross  der  legs,"  he  added, 
cautiously,  "kase  dey  sets  down  right  flat-footed." 

"Well,  I  saw  one  the  other  day,  and  he  was  standing 
on  one  foot,  and  I  watched  him  and  watched  him,  and  he 
kept  on  standing  there." 

"  Ez  ter  dat,"  responded  Uncle  Remus,  "  dey  mought 
stan'  on  one  foot  an  drap  off  ter  sleep  en  fergit  deysc'f. 
Deze  yer  gooses,"  he  continued,  wiping  the  crumbs  from 
his  beard  with  his  coat-tail,  "  is  mighty  kuse  fowls  ;  deyer 
mighty  kuse.  In  ole  times  dey  wuz  'mongs  de  big-bugs, 
en  in  dem  days,  w'en  ole  Miss  Goose  gun  a  dinin',  all  de 
quality  wuz  dere.  Likewise,  en  needer  wuz  dey  stuck-up, 
kase  wid  all  der  kyar'n's  on,  Miss  Goose  wer'n't  too  proud 
fer  ter  take  in  washin'  fer  de  neighborhoods,  en  she  make 
money,  en  get  slick  en  fat  lak  Sis  Tempy. 

"  Dis  de  way  marters  stan'  w'en  one  day  Brer  Fox  en 
Brer  Rabbit,  dey  wuz  settin'  up  at  de  cotton-patch,  one  on 
one  side  de  fence,  en  t'er  one  on  t'er  side,  gwine  on  wid 
one  er  n'er,  w'en  fus'  news  dey  know,  dey  year  sump'n 
—  blim,  blim,  blim! 

"Brer  Fox,  he  ax  w'at  dat  fuss  is,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
up'n  'spon'  dat  it's  ole  Miss  Goose  down  at  de  spring. 
Den  Brer  Fox,  he  up'n  ax  w'at  she  doin',  en  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  say,  sezee,  dat  she  battlin'  cloze." 


MR.   FOX  AND   MISS   GOOSE.  3 

"Battling  clothes,  Uncle  Remus?"  said  the  little  boy. 

"Datw'at  dey  call  it  dem  days,  honey.  Deze  times, 
dey  rubs  cloze  on  deze  yer  bodes  w'at  got  furrers  in  um, 
but  dem  days  dey  des  tuck'n  tuck  de  cloze  en  lay  um  out 
on  a  bench,  en  ketch  holt  er  de  battlin'-stick  en  natally 
paddle  de  nllin'  outen  um. 

"  Wen  Brer  Fox  year  dat  ole  Miss  Goose  wuz  down 
dar  dabblin'  in  soapsuds  en  washin'  cloze,  he  sorter  lick 
he  chops,  en  'low  dat  some  er  dese  odd-come-shorts  he 
gvvine  ter  call  en  pay  he  'specks.  De  minnit  he  say  dat, 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  know  sump'n  'uz  up,  en  he  'low  ter  hisse'f 
dat  he  'speck  he  better  whirl  in  en  have  some  fun  w'iles  it 
gwine  on.  Bimeby  Brer  Fox  up'n  say  ter  Brer  Rabbit, 
dat  he  bleedzd  ter  be  movin'  'long  todes  home,  en  wid  dat 
dey  bofe  say  good-bye. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  put  out  ter  whar  his  fambly  wuz,  but 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  slip  'roun',  he  did,  en  call  on  ole  Miss 
Goose.  Ole  Miss  Goose  she  wuz  down  at  de  spring, 
washin',  en  b'ilin',  en  battlin'  cloze  ;  but  Brer  Rabbit  he 
march  up  en  ax  her  howdy,  en  den  she  tuck'n  ax  Brer 
Rabbit  howdy. 

"'I'd  shake  han's  'long  wid  you,  Brer  Rabbit,'  sez  she, 
'  but  dey  er  all  full  er  suds,'  sez  she. 

"  No  marter  'bout  dat,  Miss  Goose,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit, 
sezee,  '  so  long  ez  yo'  will's  good,'  sezee. 

"A  goose  with  hands,  Uncle  Remus!"  the  little  boy 
exclaimed. 

"  How  you  know  goose  aint  got  han's  ?  "  Uncle  Remus 
inquired,  with  a  frown.  "Is  you  been  sleepin'  longer  ole 


4  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

man  Know- All  ?  Little  mo'  en  you'll  up'n  stan'  me  down 
dat  snakes  aint  got  no  foots,  and  yit  you  take  en  lay  a 
snake  down  yer  To'  de  fier,  en  his  foots  '11  come  out  right 
'fo'  yo'  eyes." 

Uncle  Remus  paused  here,  but  presently  continued  : 

"Atter  ole  Miss  Goose  en  Brer  Rabbit  done  pass  de 
time  er  day  wid  one  er  n'er,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  ax  'er,  he 
did,  how  she  come  on  deze  days,  en  Miss  Goose  say, 
mighty  po'ly. 

trfl'm  gittin'  stiff  en  I'm  gittin'  clumpsy,'  sez  she,  f  en 
mo'n  dat  I'm  gittin'  bline,'  sez  she.  ?Des  'fo'  you  happen 
'long,  Brer  Rabbit,  I  drap  my  specks  in  de  tub  yer,  en  ef 
you'd  'a'  come  'long  'bout  dat  time,'  sez  ole  Miss  Goose, 
sez  she,  '  I  lay  I'd  er  tuck  you  for  dat  nasty,  owdashus 
Brer  Fox,  en  it  ud  er  bin  a  born  blessin'  ef  I  hadn't  er 
scald  you  wid  er  pan  er  b'ilin  suds,'  sez  she.  'I'm  dat 
glad  I  foun'  my  specks  I  dunner  w'at  ter  do,'  sez  ole  Miss 
Goose,  sez  she. 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  say  dat  bein's  how  Sis  Goose 

done  fotch  up  Brer  Fox  name,  he  got  sump'n  fer  ter  tell 

'er,  en  den  he  let  out  'bout  Brer  Fox  gwine  ter  call  on  'er. 

r  c  He    comin','   sez  Brer  Rabbit,    sezee:  'he  comin' 

sho',  en  w'en  he  come  hit'll  be  des  'fo'  day,'  sezee. 

'Wid  dat,  ole  Miss  Goose  wipe  'er  han's  on  'er  apun, 
en  put  'er  specks  up  on  'er  forrerd,  en  look  lak  she  done 
got  trouble  in  'er  mine. 

? '  Laws-a-massy  ! '  sez  she,  '  spozen  he  come,  Brer 
Rabbit !  Wat  I  gwine  do  ?  En  dey  aint  a  man  'bout  de 
house,  n'er,'  sez  she. 


MR.    FOX    AND    MISS    GOOSE.  5 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  shot  one  eye,  en  he  say,  sezee  : 
f '  Sis  Goose,  de  time  done  come  w'en  you  bleedzd  ter 
roos'  high.     You  look  lak  you  got  de  dropsy,'  sezee,  'but 
don't  mine  dat,  kase  ef  you  don't  roos'  high,  youer  goner,' 
sezee. 

?'  Den  ole  Miss  Goose  ax  Brer  Rabbit  w'at  she  gwine 
do,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  up  en  tell  Miss  Goose  dat  she 
mus'  go  home  en  tie  up  a  bundle  er  de  w'ite  folks  cloze, 
en  put  um  on  de  bed,  en  den  she  mus'  fly  up  on  a  rafter, 
en  let  Brer  Fox  grab  de  cloze  en  run  off  wid  um. 

"  Ole  Miss  Goose  say  she  much  'blige,  en  she  tuck'n 
tuck  her  things  en  waddle  off  home,  en  dat  night  she  do 
lak  Brer  Rabbit  say  wid  de  bundle  er  cloze,  en  den  she 
sont  wud  ter  Mr.  Dog,  en  Mr.  Dog  he  come  down, 
en  say  he'd  sorter  set  up  wid  'er. 

"Des  'fo'  day,  yer  come  Brer  Fox  creepin'  up,  en  he 
went  en  push  on  de  do'  easy,  en  de  do'  open, 
en  he  see  sump'n  w'ite  on  de  bed  w'ich  he  took  fer  Miss 
Goose,  en  he  grab  it  en  run.  'Bout  dat  time  Mr. 
Dog  sail  out  fum  und'  de  house,  he  did,  en  ef  Brer  Fox 
hadn't  er  drapt  de  cloze,  he'd  er  got  kotch.  Fum  dat, 
wud  went  'roun'  dat  Brer  Fox  bin  tryin  ter  steal  Miss 
Goose  cloze,  en  he  come  mighty  nigh  losin'  his  stannin' 
at  Miss  Meadows.  Down  ter  dis  day,"  Uncle  Remus 
continued,  preparing  to  fill  his  pipe,  "  Brer  Fox  b'leeve 
dat  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  de  'casion  er  Mr.  Dog  bein"  in  de 
neighborhoods  at  dat  time  er  night,  en  Brer  Rabbit  aint 
'spute  it.  De  bad  feelin'  'twix'  Brer  Fox  en  Mr.  Dog 


6  EIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

start  right  dar,  en  hits  bin  agwine  on  twel  now  dey  aint 
git  in  smellin'  distuns  er  one  er  n'er  widout  deys  a  row." 


IT. 


BROTHER  FOX  CATCHES  MR.   HORSE. 

THERE  was  a  pause  after  the  story  of  old  Miss  Goose. 
The  culmination  was  hardly  sensational  enough  to  win  the 
hearty  applause  of  the  little  boy,  and  this  fact  appeared  to 
have  a  depressing  influence  upon  Uncle  Remus.  As  he 
leaned  slightly  forward,  gazing  into  the  depths  of  the 
great  fireplace,  his  attitude  was  one  of  pensiveness. 

w  I  'speck  I  done  wo'  out  my  welcome  up  at  de  big 
house,"  he  said,  after  a  while.  "I  mos'  knows  I  is,"  he 
continued,  setting  himself  resignedly  in  his  deep-bottomed 
chair.  "  Kaze  de  las'  time  I  uz  up  dar,  I  had  my  eye  on 
Miss  Sally  mighty  nigh  de  whole  blessid  time,  en  w'en 
you  see  Miss  Sally  rustlin'  'roun'  makin'  lak  she  fixin' 
things  up  dar  on  de  mantle-shelf,  en  bouncin'  de  cheers 
'roun',  en  breshin'  dus'  whar  dey  aint  no  dus',  en  flyin' 
'roun'  singin'  sorter  louder  dan  common,  den  I  des  knows 
sump'n'  done  gone  en  rile  'er. 

"Why,  Uncle  Remus!"  exclaimed  the  little  boy; 
"  Mamma  was  just  glad  because  I  was  feeling  so  good." 

"Mought  er  bin,"  the  old  man  remarked,  in  a  tone  that 


BROTHER  FOX  CATCHES  MR.  HORSE.       7 

was  far  from  implying  conviction.  "  Ef  'twa'n't  dat,  den 
she  wuz  gittin'  tired  er  seein'  me  lounjun'  'roun'  up  dar 
night  atter  night,  en  ef  'twa'n't  dat,  den  she  wuz  watchin' 
a  chance  fer  ter  preach  ter  yo'  pa.  Oh,  I  done  bin  know 
Miss  Sally  long  fo'  yo'  pa  is  ! "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus, 
in  response  to  the  astonishment  depicted  upon  the  child's 
face.  "I  bin  knowin'  'er  sence  she  wuz  so  high,  en 
endurin'  er  all  dat  time  I  aint  seed  no  mo'  up'n  spoken 
w'ite  'oman  dan  w'at  Miss  Sally  is. 

"  But  dat  aint  needer  yer  ner  dar.  You  done  got  so 
youk'n  rush  down  yer  des  like  you  useter,  en  we  kin  set 
yer  en  smoke,  en  tell  tales,  en  study  up  'musements  same 
like  we  wuz  gwine  on  'fo'  you  got  dat  splinter  in  yo' 
foot. 

" I  mines  me  er  one  time"  —  with  an  infectious  laugh 
—  "  w'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  got  Brer  Fox  in  de  wuss  trubble 
w'at  a  man  wuz  mos'  ever  got  in  yit,  en  dat  'uz  w'en  he 
fool  'im  'bout  de  hoss.  Aint  I  never  tell  you  'bout  dat? 
But  no  marter  ef  I  is.  Hoe-cake  aint  cook  done  good 
twcl  hit's  turnt  over  a  couple  er  times. 

"Well,  atter  Brer  Fox  done  git  rested  fum  keepin'  out 
er  de  way  er  Mr.  Dog,  en  sorter  ketch  up  wid  his  rations, 
he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  be  dog  his  cats  ef  he  don't  slorate 
ole  Brer  Rabbit  ef  it  take  'im  a  mont' ;  en  dat,  too,  on 
top  er  all  de  'spe'unce  w'at  he  done  bin  had  wid  um. 
Brer  Rabbit  he  sorter  git  win'  er  dis,  en  one  day,  w'iles 
he  gwine  'long  de  road  studyin'  how  he  gwineter  hoi'  he 
hand  wid  Brer  Fox,  he  see  a  great  big  Hoss  layin'  stretch 
out  flat  on  he  side  in  de  pastur' ;  en  he  tuck'n  crope  up, 


8  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS- 

he  did,  fer  ter  see  ef  dish  yer  Hoss  done  gone  en  die. 
He  crope  up  en  he  crope  'roun',  en  bimeby  he  see  de  Hoss 
switch  he  tail,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit  know  he  aint  dead. 
Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  lope  back  ter  de  big  road,  en  mos' 
de  fus'  man  w'at  he  see  gwine  on  by  wuz  Brer  Fox,  en 
Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck  atter  'im,  en  holler  : 

" '  Brer  Fox  !  O  Brer  Fox  !  Come  back  !  I  got 
some  good  news  fer  you.  Come  back,  Brer  Fox,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  tu'n  'roun',  he  did,  en  w'en  he  see  who 
callin'  'im,  he  come  gallopin'  back,  kaze  it  seem  like  dat 
des  ez  gooder  time  ez  any  fer  ter  nab  Brer  Rabbit ;  but 
'fo'  he  git  in  nabbin'  distance,  Brer  Rabbit  he  up'n  say, 
sezee  : 

* '  Come  on,  Brer  Fox  !  I  done  fine  de  place  whar  you 
kin  lay  in  fresh  meat  'nuff  fer  ter  las'  you  plum  twel  de 
middle  er  nex'  year,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  ax  wharbouts,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  say, 
right  over  dar  in  de  pastur',  en  Brer  Fox  ax  w'at  is  it,  en 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  say  w'ich  'twuz  a  whole  Hoss  layin  down 
on  de  groun'  whar  dey  kin  ketch  'im  en  tie  'im.  Wid 
dat,  Brer  Fox,  he  say  come  on,  en  off  dey  put. 

"  Wen  dey  got  dar,  sho'  nuff,  dar  lay  de  Hoss  all  stretch 
out  in  de  sun,  fas'  'sleep,  en  den  Brer  Fox  en  Brer 
Rabbit,  dey  had  a  'spute  'bout  how  dey  gwineter  fix  de 
Hoss  so  he  can't  git  loose.  One  say  one  way  en  de  yuther 
say  n'er  way,  en  dar  dey  had  it,  twel  atter  w'ile  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  say,  sezee  : 

"De  onliest  plan  w'at  I  knows  un,  Brer  Fox,'  sezee, 
f  is  fer  you  ter  git  down  dar  en  lemme  tie  you  ter  de  Hoss' 


BROTHER  FOX  CATCHES  MR.  HORSE.       9 

tail,  en  den,  w'en  he  try  ter  git  up,  you  kin  hoi'  'im 
down,'  sezee.  'Ef  I  wuz  big  man  like  w'at  you  is,'  sez 
Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'you  mought  tie  me  ter  dat  Hoss'  tail, 
en  ef  I  aint  hoi'  'im  down,  den  Joe's  dead  en  Sal's  a 
widder.  I  des  knows  you  kin  hoi'  'im  down/  sez  Brer 
Rabbit,  sezee,  'but  yit,  ef  you  'feared,  we  des  better  drap 
dat  idee  en  study  out  some  yuther  plan,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Fox  sorter  jubus  'bout  dis,  but  he  bleedzd  ter 
play  biggity  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit,  en  he  tuck'n  'gree  ter  de 
progrance,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  tie  Brer  Fox 
ter  de  Hoss'  tail,  en  atter  he  git  'im  tie  dar  hard  en  fas', 
he  sorter  step  back,  he  did,  en  put  he  han's  'kimbo,  en 
grin,  en  den  he  say,  sezee : 

' f  Ef  ever  dey  wuz  a  Hoss  kotch,  den  we  done  kotch  dis 
un.  Look  sorter  lak  we  done  put  de  bridle  on  de  wrong 
een','  sezee,  '  but  I  lay  Brer  Fox  is  got  de  strenk  fer  ter 
hoP  'im,'  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  cut  'im  a  long  switch  en  trim  it 
up,  en  w'en  he  get  it  fix,  up  he  step  en  hit  de  Hoss  a  rap 
— powf  De  Hoss  'uz  dat  s'prise  at  dat  kinder  doin's  dat 
he  make  one  jump,  en  Ian'  on  he  foots.  W'en  he  do 
dat,  dar  wuz  Brer  Fox  danglin'  in  de  a'r,  en  Brer  -Rabbit, 
he  dart  out  de  way  en  holler : 

«'HoF  'im  down,  Brer  Fox!  Hoi'  'im  down!  I'll 
stan'  out  yer  en  see  fa'r  play.  Hoi'  'im  down,  Brer  Fox  ! 
Hoi'  'im  down  ! ' 

"  Co'se,  w'en  de  Hoss  feel  Brer  Fox  hangin'  dar  onter 
he  tail,  he  thunk  sump'n  kuse  wuz  de  marter,  en  dis  make 
'im  jump  en  r'ar  wusser  en  wusser,  en  he  shake  up  Brer 


10  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Fox  same  like  he  wuz  a  rag  in  de  win',  en  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  jump  en  holler  : 

"  '  HoP  'im  down,  Brer  Fox  !  Hoi'  'im  down  !  You 
got  'im  now,  sho' !  HoP  yo'  grip,  en  hoP  'im  down,' 
sezee. 

"De  Hoss,  he  jump  en  he  hump,  en  he  rip  en  he  r'ar, 
en  he  snort  en  he  far.  But  yit  Brer  Fox  hang  on,  en  still 
Brer  Eabbit  skip  'roun'  en  holler : 

f '  HoP  'im  down,  Brer  Fox  !  You  got  'im  whar  he 
can't  needer  back  ner  squall.  HoP  'im  down,  Brer  Fox  ! ' 
sezee. 

"Bimeby,  w'en  Brer  Fox  git  chance,  he  holler  back, 
he  did  : 

f  r  How  in  de  name  er  goodness  I  gwineter  hoP  de  Hoss 
down  'less  I  git  my  claw  in  de  groun'  ? ' 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  stan'  back  little  furder  en  holler 
little  louder : 

"  '  HoP  'im  down,  Brer  Fox  !  HoP  'im  down  !  You 
got  'im  now,  sho' !  HoP  'im  down  ! ' 

"  Bimeby  de  hoss  'gun  ter  kick  wid  he  behime  legs,  en 
de  fus'  news  you  know,  he  fetch  Brer  Fox  a  lick  in  de 
stomach  dat  fa'rly  make  'im  squall,  en  den  he  kick  'im 
ag'in,  en  dis  time  he  break  Brer  Fox  loose,  en  sont  'im 
a-whirlin' ;  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  keep  on  a-jumpin'  'roun' 
en  hollerin' : 

" '  HoP  'im  down,  Brer  Fox  ! ?  " 

"Did  the  fox  get  killed,  Uncle  Remus?"  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"He  wa'n't 'zackly  kilt,  honey,"  replied  the  old  man, 


BROTHER    RABBIT    AND    THE    LITTLE    GIRL.        11 

"  but  he  wuz  de  nex'  do'  ter't.  He  'uz  all  broke  up,  en 
w'iles  he  'uz  gittin'  well,  hit  sorter  come  'cross  he  min'  dat 
Brer  Rabbit  done  play  n'er  game  on  'im." 


in. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  LITTLE  OIRL. 

"  WHAT  did  Brother  Rabbit  do  after  that  ?  "  the  little 
boy  asked,  presently. 

"  Now,  den,  you  don't  wanter  push  ole  Brer  Rabbit  too 
close,"  replied  Uncle  Remus,  significantly.  "He  mighty 
tender-footed  creetur,  en  de  mo'  w'at  you  push  'im,  de 
furder  he  lef  you." 

There  was  prolonged  silence  in  the  old  man's  cabin, 
until,  seeing  that  the  little  boy  was  growing  restless  enough 
to  cast  several  curious  glances  in  the  direction  of  the  tool- 
chest  in  the  corner,  Uncle  Remus  lifted  one  leg  over  the 
other,  scratched  his  head  reflectively,  and  began  : 

"  One  time,  atter  Brer  Rabbit  done  bin  trompin'  'roun' 
huntin'  up  some  sallid  fer  ter  make  out  he  dinner  wid,  he 
fine  hisse'f  in  de  neighborhoods  er  Mr.  Man  house,  en  he 
pass  'long  twel  he  come  ter  de  gyardin-gate,  en  nigh  de 
gyardin-gate  he  see  Little  Gal  playin'  'roun'  in  de  san'. 
Wen  Brer  Rabbit  look  'twix'  de  gyardin-palin's  en  see  de 
colluds,  en  de  sparrer-grass,  en  de  yuther  gyardin  truck 
growin'  dar,  hit  make  he  mouf  water.  Den  he  take  en 

walk  up  ter  de  Little  Gal,  -Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  pull  he 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  UBRARY 


12  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

roach,1  en  bow,  en  scrape  he  foot,  en  talk  mighty  nice  en 
slick. 

"  '  Howdy,  Little  Gal,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee  ;  '  how 
you  come  on?'  sezee. 

"Den  de  Little  Gal,  she  'spon'  howdy,  she  did,  en  she 
ax  Brer  Rabbit  how  he  come  on,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low 
he  mighty  po'ly,  en  den  he  ax  ef  dis  de  Little  Gal  w'at  'er 
pa  live  up  dar  in  de  big  w'ite  house,  w'ich  de  Little  Gal, 
she  up'n  say  twer'.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  say  he  mighty  glad, 
kaze  he  des  bin  up  dar  fer  to  see  'er  pa,  en  he  say  dat  'er 
pa,  he  sont  'im  out  dar  fer  ter  tell  de  Little  Gal  dat  she 
mus'  open  de  gyardin-gate  so  Brer  Rabbit  kin  go  in  en  git 
some  truck.  Den  de  Little  Gal,  she  jump  'roun',  she  did, 
en  she  open  de  gate,  en  wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  hop  in, 
he  did,  en  got  'im  a  mess  er  greens,  en  hop  out  ag'in,  en 
w'en  he  gwine  off  he  make  a  bow,  he  did,  en  tell  de  Little 
Gal  dat  he  much  'blije',  en  den  atter  dat  he  put  out  fer  home. 

"Nex5  day,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  hide  out,  he  did,  twel  he 
see  de  Little  Gal  come  out  ter  play,  en  den  he  put  up  de 
same  tale,  en  walk  off  wid  a  n'er  mess  er  truck,  en  hit 
keep  on  dis  away,  twel  bimeby  Mr.  Man,  he  'gun  ter  miss 
his  greens,  en  he  keep  on  a-missin'  un  um,  twel  he  got  ter 
excusin'  eve'ybody  on  de  place  er  'stroyin  un  um,  en  w'en 
dat  come  ter  pass',  de  Little  Gal,  she  up'n  say  : 

"My  goodness,  pa  ! '  sez  she,  'you  done  tole  Mr.  Rab- 
bit fer  ter  come  and  make  me  let  'im  in  de  gyardin  atter 
some  greens,  en  aint  he  done  come  en  ax  me,  en  aint  I  done 
gone  en  let  'im  in  ? '  sez  she. 

1  Topknot,  foretop. 


BROTHER    RABBIT    AND    THE    LITTLE    GIRL.         13 

"  Mr.  Man  aint  hatter  study  long  'fo'  he  see  how  de  Ian' 
lay,  en  den  he  laff,  en  tell  de  Little  Gal  dat  he  done  gone 
en  disremeniber  all  'bout  Mr.  Rabbit,  en  den. he  up'n  say, 
sezee : 

'  'Nex'  time  Mr.  Rabbit  come,  you  tak'n  tu'n  'im  in,  en 
den  you  run  des  ez  fas'  ez  you  kin  en  come  en  tell  me,  kase 
I  got  some  bizness  wid  dat  young  chap  dat's  bleedze  ter 
be  'ten'  ter,'  sezee. 

"Sho  miff,  nex'  mawnin'  dar  wuz  de  Little  Gal  playin' 
roun',  en  yer  come  Brer  Rabbit  atter  he  'lowance  er 
greens.  He  wuz  ready  wid  de  same  tale,  en  den  de  Little 
Gal,  she  tu'n  'im  in,  she  did,  en  den  she  run  up  ter  de 
house  en  holler : 

' '  O  pa !  pa !  O  pa !  Yer  Brer  Rabbit  in  de  gyar- 
din  now  !  Yer  he  is,  pa  ! ' 

"  Den  Mr.  Man,  he  rush  out,  en  grab  up  a  fishin'-line 
w'at  bin  hangin'  in  de  back  po'ch,  en  mak  fer  de  gyardin, 
en  w'en  he  git  dar,  dar  wuz  Brer  Rabbit  tromplin'  'roun' 
011  de  strawbe'y-bed  en  mashin'  down  de  termartusses. 
W'en  Brer  Rabbit  see  Mr.  Man,  he  squot  behime  a  collud 
leaf,  but  'twa'n't  no  use.  Mr.  Man  done  seed  him,  en  To' 
you  kin  count  'lev'm,  he  done  got  ole  Brer  Rabbit  tie  hard 
en  fas'  wid  de  fishin'-line.  Atter  he  got  him  tie  good,  Mr. 
Man  step  back,  he  did,  en  say,  sezee  : 

'  You  done  bin  fool  me  lots  er  time,  but  dis  time  youer 
mine.  I'm  gwine  ter  take  you  en  gin  you  a  larrupin',' 
sezee,  f  en  den  I'm  gwine  ter  skin  you  en  nail  yo'  hide  on 
de  stable  do','  sezee  ;  ren  den  ter  make  sho  dat  you  git  de 
right  kuwjer  larrupin',  I'll  des  step  up  ter  de  house,'  sezee, 


14  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

4 en  fetch  de  little  red  cowhide,  en  den  I'll  take  en  gin  you 
brinjer,'  sezee. 

"Den  Mr.  Man  call  to  der  Little  Gal  ter  watch  Brer 
Eabbit  w'iles  he  gone. 

"Brer  Rabbit  aint  sayin'  nothin',  but  Mr.  Man  aint 
mo'n  out  de  gate  'fo'  he  'gun  ter  sing ;  en  in  denj  days 
Brer  Rabbit  wuz  a  singer,  mon,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
with  unusual  emphasis,  "  en  w'en  he  chuned  up  fer  ter  sing 
he  make  dem  yuther  creeters  hoi'  der  bref." 

"  What  did  he  sing,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"  Ef  I  aint  fergit  dat  song  off'n  my  min',"  said  Uncle 
Remus,  looking  over  his  spectacles  at  the  fire,  with  a 
curious  air  of  attempting  to  remember  something,  "hit 
run  sorter  dish  yer  way  : 

"  '  De  jay-bird  hunt  de  sparrer-nes', 
De  bee-martin  sail  all  'roun' ; 
De  squer'l,  he  holler  from  de  top  er  de  tree, 
Mr.  Mole,  he  stay  in  de  groun'  / 
He  hide  en  he  stay  twel  de  dark  drap  down  — 
Mr.  Mole,  he  hide  in  de  groun'.' 

"  Wen  de  Little  Gal  year  dat,  she  laugh,  she  did,  and  she 
up'n  ax  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  sing  some  mo',  but  Brer  Rab- 
bit, he  sorter  cough,  he  did,  en  'low  dat  he  got  a  mighty 
bad  ho'seness  down  inter  he  win'pipe  some'rs.  De  Little 
Gal,  she  swade,1  en  swade,  en  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
up'n  'low  dat  he  kin  dance  mo'  samer  dan  w'at  he  kin  sing. 

1  Persuaded. 


HOW    BROTHER    FOX    WAS    TOO    SMART.  15 

Den  de  Little  Gal,  she  ax  'im  wont  he  dance,  en  Brer  Rab- 
bit, he  'spon'  how  in  de  name  er  goodness  kin  a  man  dance 
w'iles  he  all  tie  up  dis  away,  en  den  de  Little  Gal,  she  say 
she  kin  ontie  'im,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  say  he  aint  keerin'  ef 
she  do.  Wid  dat  de  Little  Gal,  she  retch  down  en  on- 
loose  de  fish-line,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  stretch  hisse'f 
en  look  'rounV 

Here  Uncle  Remus  paused  and  sighed,  as  though  he 
had  relieved  his  mind  of  a  great  burden.  The  little  boy 
waited  a  few  minutes  for  the  old  man  to  resume,  and 
finally  he  asked  : 

"  Did  the  Rabbit  dance,  Uncle  Remus?" 
"Who?  Him?"  exclaimed  the  old  man,  with  a  queer 
affectation  of  elation.  "Bless  yo'  soul,-  honey!  Brer 
Rabbit  gedder  up  his  foots  und'  'im,  en  he  dance  outer 
dat  gyardin,  en  he  dance  home.  He  did  dat  1  Sho'ly 
you  don't  speck  dat  a  ole-timer  w'at  done  had  'spe'unce  like 
Brer  Rabbit  gwine  ter  stay  dar  en  let  dat  ar  Mr.  Man 
sackyfice  'im?  Shoo!  Brer  Rabbit  dance,  but  he  dance 
home.  You  year  me  ! " 


IV. 

HOW  BROTHER    FOX    WAS    TOO    SMART. 

UNCLE  REMUS  chuckled  a  moment  over  the  escape  of 
Brother  Rabbit,  and  then  turned  his  gaze  upward  toward 
the  cobwebbed  gloom  that  seemed  to  lie  just  beyond  the 


16  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

rafters.  He  sat  thus  silent  and  serious  a  little  while,  but 
finally  squared  himself  around  in  his  chair  and  looked  the 
little  boy  full  in  the  face.  The  old  man's  countenance 
expressed  a  curious  mixture  of  sorrow  and  bewilderment. 
Catching  the  child  by  the  coat-sleeve,  Uncle  Remus  pulled 
him  gently  to  attract  his  attention. 

"  Hit  look  like  ter  me,"  he  said,  presently,  in  the  tone 
of  one  approaching  an  unpleasant  subject,  "dat  no 
longer'n  yistiddy  I  see  one  er  dem  ar  Favers  chillun  clim'in' 
dat  ar  big  red-oak  out  yan',  en  den  it  seem  like  dat  a  little 
chap  'bout  yo'  size,  he  tuck'n  start  up  ter  see  ef  he  can't 
play  smarty  like  de  Favers's  yearlin's.  I  dunner  w'at  in 
de  name  er  goodness  you  wanter  be  a  copyin'  atter  dem  ar 
Faverses  fer.  Ef  youer  gwine  ter  copy  atter  yuther  folks, 
copy  atter  dem  w'at's  some 'count.  Yo'  pa,  he  got  de  idee 
dat  some  folks  is  good  ez  yuther  folks  ;  but  Miss  Sally, 
she  know  better.  She  know  dat  dey  aint  no  Favers  'pon 
de  top  side  er  de  yeth  w'at  kin  hoi'  der  han'  wid  de  Aber- 
crombies  in  p'int  er  breedin'  en  raisin'.  Dat  w'at  Miss 
Sally  know.  I  bin  keepin'  track  er  dem  Faverses  sence 
way  back  yan'  long  'fo'  Miss  Sally  wuz  born'd.  Ole  Cajy 
Favers,  he  went  ter  de  po'house,  en  ez  ter  dat  Jim  Favers, 
I  boun'  you  he  know  de  inside  er  all  de  jails  in  dish  yer 
State  er  Jawjy.  Dey  allers  did  hate  niggers  kaze  dey  aint 
had  none,  en  dey  hates  um  down  ter  dis  day. 

"  Year  'fo'  las',"  Uncle  Remus  continued,  "  I  year  yo' 
Unk'  Jeems  Abercrombie  tell  dat  same  Jim  Favers  dat  ef 
he  lay  de  weight  er  he  han'  on  one  er  his  niggers,  he'd 
slap  a  load  er  buck-shot  in  'im ;  en,  bless  yo'  soul,  honey, 


HOW    BROTHER    FOX    WAS    TOO    SMART.  17 

yo'  Unk'  Jeems  wuz  des  de  man  ter  do  it.  But  dey  er 
monst'us  perlite  unter  me,  dem  Faverses  is,"  pursued  the 
old  man,  allowing  his  indignation,  which  had  risen  to  a 
white  heat,  to  cool  off,  "  en  dey  better  be,"  he  added,  spite- 
fully, "kase  I  knows  der  pedigree  fum  de  fus'  ter  de  las', 
en  w'en  I  gits  my  Affikin  up,  dey  aint  nobody,  'less  it's 
Miss  Sally  'erse'f,  w'at  kin  keep  me  down. 

"But  dat  aint  needer  yer  ner  dar,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
renewing  his  attack  upon  the  little  boy.  "  Wat  you 
wanter  go  copyin'  atter  dem  Favers  chillun  f er  ?  Youer 
settin'  back  dar,  right  dis  minnit,  bettin'  longer  yo'se'f  dat 
I  aint  gwine  ter  tell  Miss  Sally,  en  dar  whar  youer  lettin' 
yo'  foot  slip,  kaze  I'm  gwine  ter  let  it  pass  dis  time,  butde 
ve'y  nex'  time  w'at  I  ketches  you  in  hollerin'  distuns  er 
dem  Faverses,  right  den  en  dar  I'm  gwine  ter  take  my  foot 
in  my  han'  en  go  en  tell  Miss  Sally,  en  ef  she  don't  natally 
skin  you  'live,  den  she  aint  de  same  'oman  w'at  she  useter 
be. 

"  All  dish  yer  copyin'  atter  deze  yer  Faverses  put  me 
in  min'  er  de  time  w'en  Brer  Fox  got  ter  copyin'  atter 
Brer  Rabbit.  I  done  tole  you  'bout  de  time  w'en  Brer 
Rabbit  git  de  game  fum  Brer  Fox  by  makin'  like  he 
dead?"1 

The  little  boy  remembered  it  very  distinctly,  and  said 
as  much. 

"  Well,  den,  old  Brer  Fox,  w'en  he  see  how  slick  de 
trick  wuk  wid  Brer  Rabbit,  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he 

1  Uncle  Remus  :    His  Songs  and  his  Sayings.    New  York  :  D.  Appleton  & 
Co.    P.  70. 


18  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

b'leeve  he'll  up'  n  try  de  same  kinder  game  on  some  yuther 
man,  en  he  keep  on  watchin'  fer  he  chance,  twel  bimeby, 
one  day,  he  year  Mr.  Man  comin'  down  de  big  road  in  a  one- 
hoss  waggin,  kyar'n  some  chickens,  en  some  eggs,  en  some 
butter,  ter  town.  Brer  Fox  year  'im  comin',  he  did,  en 
w'at  do  he  do  but  go  en  lay  down  in  de  road  front  er  de 
waggin.  Mr.  Man,  he  druv  'long,  he  did,  cluckin'  ter  de 
hoss  en  hummin'  ter  hisse'f,  en  w'en  dey  git  mos'  up  ter 
Brer  Fox,  de  hoss,  he  shy,  lie  did,  en  Mr.  Man,  he  tuck'n 
holler  Wo  !  ende  hoss,  he  tuck'n  wo'd.  Den  Mr.  Man,  he 
look  down,  en  he  see  Brer  Fox  layin'  out  dar  on  de  groim' 
des  like  he  cole  en  stiff,  en  we'n  Mr.  Man  see  dis,  he 
holler  out : 

' f  Heyo !  Dar  de  chap  w'at  been  nabbin'  up  my 
chickens,  en  somebody  done  gone  en  shot  off  a  gun  at 
'im,  w'ich  I  wish  she'd  er  bin  two  guns — dat  I  does  !  ' 

"Wid  dat,  Mr.  Man,  he  druv  on  en  lef'  Brer  Fox 
layin'  dar.  Den  Brer  Fox,  he  git  up  en  run  'rotm'  thoo 
de  woods  en  lay  down  front  er  Mr.  Man  ag'in,  en  Mr. 
Man  come  drivin'  'long,  en  he  see  Brer  Fox,  en  he  say, 
sezee : 

' e  Heyo  !  Yer  de  ve'y  chap  what  been  'stroyin'  my 
pigs.  Somebody  done  gone  en  kilt  'im,  en  I  wish  dey'd 
er  kilt  'im  long  time  ago.' 

"  Den  Mr.  Man,  he  druv  on,  en  de  waggin-w'eel  come 
mighty  nigh  mashin'  Brer  Fox  nose  ;  yit,  all  de  same, 
Brer  Fox  lipt  up  en  run  'roun'  'head  er  Mr.  Man,  en  lay 
down  in  de  road,  en  w'en  Mr.  Man  come  'long,  dar  he 
wuz  all  stretch  out  like  he  big  'nuff  fer  ter  fill  a  two- 


HOW    BROTHER    FOX    WAS    TOO    SMART.  19 

bushel  baskit,  en  he  look  like  he  dead  'miff  fer  ter  be 
skint.  Mr.  Man  druv  up,  he  did,  en  stop.  He  look 
down  pun  Brer  Fox,  en  den  he  look  all  'roun'  fer  ter  see 
w'at  de  'casion  er  all  deze  yer  dead  Fox  is.  Mr.  Man 
look  all  'roun',  he  did,  but  he  aint  see  nothin',  en  needer 
do  he  year  nothin'.  Den  he  set  dar  en  study,  en  bimeby 
he  'low  ter  hisse'f,  he  did,  dat  he  had  better  'zamin'  w'at 
kinder  kuse  zeeze  l  done  bin  got  inter  Brer  Fox  fambly, 
en  wid  dat  he  lit  down  outer  de  waggin,  en  feel  er  Brer 
Fox  year ;  Brer  Fox  year  feel  right  worn.  Den  he  feel 
Brer  Fox  neck  ;  Brer  Fox  neck  right  worn.  Den  he  feel 
er  Brer  Fox  in  de  short  ribs ;  Brer  Fox  all  soun?  in  de 
short  ribs.  Den  he  feel  er  Brer  Fox  lim's  ;  Brer  Fox  all 
soun'  in  de  lim's.  Den  he  tu'n  Brer  Fox  over,  en,  lo  en 
beholes,  Brer  Fox  right  limber.  Wen  Mr.  Man  see 
dis,  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee : 

' '  Heyo,  yer  !  how  come  dis  ?  Dish  yer  chicken-nabber 
look  lak  he  dead,  but  dey  aint  no  bones  broked,  en  I  aint 
see  no  blood,  «n  needer  does  I  feel  no  bruise  ;  en  mo'n  dat 
he  worn  en  he  limber,'  sezee.  '  Sump'n'  wrong  yer,  sho' ! 
Dish  yer  pig-grabber  mought  be  dead,  en  den  ag'in  he 
moughtent,'  sezee  ;  '  but  ter  make  sho'  dat  he  is,  I'll  des  gin 
'im  a  whack  wid  my  w'ip-han'le,'  sezee ;  en  wid  dat,  Mr. 
Man  draw  back  en  fotch  Brer  Fox  a  clip  behime  de  years 
—  pow !  —  en  de  lick  come  so  hard  en  it  come  so  quick 
dat  Brer  Fox  thunk  sho'  he's  a  goner ;  but  'fo'  Mr.  Man 
kin  draw  back  fer  ter  fetch  'im  a  n'er  wipe,  Brer  Fox,  he 

1  Disease. 


20  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

scramble  ter  his  feet,  he  did,  en  des  make  tracks  'way  fum 
dar." 

Uncle  Remus  paused  and  shook  the  cold  ashes  from 
his  pipe,  and  then  applied  the  moral : 

"Dat  w'at  Brer  Fox  git  fer  playin'  Mr.  Smarty  en 
copyin'  atter  yuther  folks,  en  dat  des  de  way  de  whole 
Smarty  fambly  gwine  ter  come  out." 


V. 

BROTHER   RABBITS   ASTONISHING  PRANK. 

"  I  'SPECK  dat  'uz  de  reas'n  w'at  make  ole  Brer  Rabbit 
git  'long  so  well,  kaze  he  aint  copy  atter  none  er  de  yuther 
creeturs,"  Uncle  Remus  continued,  after  a  while.  "  Wen 
he  make  his  disappearance  To'  um,  hit  'uz  allers  in  some  bran 
new  place.  Dey  aint  know  wharbouts  fer  ter  watch  out 
fer  'im.  He  wuz  de  funniest  creetur  er  de  whole  gang. 
Some  folks  moughter  call  him  lucky,  en  yit,  w'en  he  git  in 
bad  luck,  hit  look  lak  he  mos'  allers  come  out  on  top. 
Hit  look  mighty  kuse  now,  but  'twan't  kuse  in  dem  days, 
kaze  hit  'uz  done  gun  up  dat,  strike  'im  w'en  you  might 
en  whar  you  would,  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  de  soopless  creeter 
gwine. 

"  One  time,  he  sorter  tuck  a  notion,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  did, 
dat  he'd  pay  Brer  B'ar  a  call,  en  no  sooner  do  de  notion 
strike  'im  dan  he  pick  hisse'f  up  en  put  out  fer  Brer  B'ar 
house." 


BROTHER    RABBIT'S    ASTONISHING    PRANK.         21 

"  Why,  I  thought  they  were  mad  with  each  other,"  the 
little  boy  exclaimed. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  make  he  call  w'en  Brer  B'ar  en  his  fambly 
wuz  off  fum  home,"  Uncle  Remus  explained,  with  a 
chuckle  which  was  in  the  nature  of  a  hearty  tribute  to  the 
crafty  judgment  of  Brother  Rabbit. 

"He  sot  down  by  de  road,  en  he  see  um  go  by,  — ole 
Brer  B'ar  en  ole  Miss  B'ar,  en  der  two  twin-chilluns, 
w'ich  one  un  um  wuz  name  Kubs  en  de  t'er  one  wuz  name 
Klibs." 

The  little  boy  laughed,  but  the  severe  seriousness  of 
Uncle  Remus  would  have  served  for  a  study,  as  he  con- 
tinued : 

"  Ole  Brer  B'ar  en  Miss  B'ar,  dey  went  'long  ahead,  en 
Kubs  en  Klibs,  dey  come  shufflin'  en  scramblin'  'long  be- 
hime.  Wen  Brer  Rabbit  see  dis,  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he 
'speck  he  better  go  see  how  Brer  B'ar  gittin'  on  ;  en  off  he 
put.  En  'twa'n't  long  n'er  'fo'  he  'uz  ransackin'  de  prem- 
muses  same  like  he  'uz  sho'  'nufF  patter-roller.  Wiles  he 
wuz  gwine  'roun'  peepin'  in  yer  en  pokin'  in  dar,  he  got 
ter  foolin'  'rnong  de  shelfs,  en  a  bucket  er  honey  w'at  Brer 
B'ar  got  hid  in  de  cubbud  fall  down  en  spill  on  top  er  Brer 
Rabbit,  en  little  mo'n  he'd  er  bin  drown.  Fum  head  ter 
heels  dat  creetur  wuz  kiver'd  wid  honey ;  he  wa'n't  des 
only  bedobble  wid  it,  he  wuz  des  kiver'd.  He  hatter  set 
dar  en  let  de  natal  sweetness  drip  outen  he  eyeballs  'fo' 
he  kin  see  he  han'  befo'  'im,  en  den,  atter  he  look  'roun' 
little,  he  say  to  hisse'f,  sezee  :  — 

:"Heyo,  yer!     Wat  I  gwine  do  now?     Ef  I  go  out 


22  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

in  de  sunshine,  de  bumry-bees  en  de  flies  dey '11  sworn  up'n 
take  me,  en  if  I  stay  yer,  Brer  B'ar'll  come  back  en  ketch 
me,  en  I  dunner  w'at  in  de  name  er  gracious  I  gvvine  do.' 

"Ennyhow,  bimeby  a  notion  strike  Brer  Rabbit,  en  he 
tip  'long  twel  he  git  in  de  woods,  en  w'en  he  git  out  dar, 
w'at  do  he  do  but  roll  in  de  leafs  en  trash  en  try  fer  ter 
rub  de  honey  off'n  'im  dat  a-way.  He  roll,  he  did,  en 
de  leafs  dey  stick ;  Brer  Rabbit  roll,  en  de  leafs  dey  stick, 
en  he  keep  on  rollin'  en  de  leafs  keep  on  stickin',  twel 
atter  w'ile  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  de  mos'  owdashus-lookin' 
creetur  w'at  you  ever  sot  eyes  on.  En  ef  Miss  Meadows 
en  de  gals  could  er  seed  'im  den  en  dar,  dey  wouldn't  er 
bin  no  mo'  Brer  Rabbit  call  at  der  house ;  'deed,  en  dat 
dey  wouldn't. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  jump  'roun',  he  did,  en  try  ter  shake 
de  leafs  off'n  'im,  but  de  leafs,  dey  aint  gwine  ter  be  shuck 
off.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  shake  en  he  shiver,  but  de  leafs  dey 
stick  ;  en  de  capers  dat  creetur  cut  up  out  dar  in  de  woods 
by  he  own-alone  se'f  wuz  scaii'lous  —  dey  wuz  dat ;  dey 
wuz  scan'lous. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  see  dis  wa'n't  gwine  ter  do,  en  he  'low  ter 
hisse'f  dat  he  better  be  gittin'  on  todes  home,  en  off  he  put. 
I  'speck  you  done  year  talk  ez  deze  yer  booggers  w'at  gits 
atter  bad  chilluns,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  in  a  tone  so 
serious]y  confidential  as  to  be  altogether  depressing ; 
"well,  den,  des  'zajctly  dat  away  Brer  Rabbit  look,  en  ef 
you'd  er  seed  'im  you'd  er  made  sho'  he  de  gran'-daddy  er  all 
de  booggers.  Brer  Rabbit  pace  'long,  he  did,  en  ev'y 
motion  he  make,  de  leafs  dey'd  go  swishy-swushy , 


BROTHER    RABBIT'S    ASTONISHING    PRANK.         23 

splushy-splishy ,  en,  fum  de  fuss  he  make  en  de  way  he 
look,  you'd  er  tuck  'im  ter  be  de  raos'  suvvigus  varment 
w'at  disappear  fum  de  face  er  de  yeth  sence  oje  man  Noah 
let  down  de  draw-bars  er  de  ark  en  tu'n  de  creeturs  loose  ; 
en  I  boun'  ef  you'd  er  struck  up  long  wid  'im,  you'd  er 
been  mighty  good  en  glad  ef  you'd  er  got  off  Wid  dat. 

"  De  fus'  man  w'at  Brer  Kabbit  come  up  wid  wuz  ole 
Sis  Cow,  en  no  sooner  is  she  lay  eyes  on  'im  dan  she  h'ist 
up  'er  tail  in  de  elements,  en  put  out  like  a  pack  er 
dogs  wuz  atter  'er.  Dis  make  Brer  Rabbit  laff,  kaze  he 
know  dat  w'en  a  ole  settle'  'oman  like  Sis  Cow  run  'stracted 
in  de  broad  open  day-time,  dat  dey  mus'  be  sump'n' 
mighty  kuse  'bout  dem  leafs  en  dat  honey,  en  he  keep  on 
a-rackin'  down  de  road.  De  nex'  man  w'at  he  meet  wuz  a 
black  gal  tollin'  a  whole  passel  er  plantation  shotes,  en 
w'en  de  gal  see  Brer  Rabbit  come  prancin'  'long,  she  fling 
down  'er  basket  er  corn  en  des  fa'rly  fly,  en  de  shotes,  dey 
tuck  thoo  de  woods,  en  sech  n'er  racket  ez  dey  kick  up 
wid  der  runnin',  en  der  snorting  en  der  squealin'  aint 
never  bin  year  in  dat  settlement  needer  befo'  ner  since. 
Hit  keep  on  dis  away  long  ez  Brer  Rabbit  meet  anybody 
—  dey  des  broke  en  run  like  de  Ole  Boy  wuz  atter  um. 

"  C'ose,  dis  make  Brer  Rabbit  feel  monst'us  biggity,  en 
he  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  'speck  he  better  drap  'roun'  en 
skummish  in  de  neighborhoods  er  Brer  Fox  house.  En 
w'iles  he  wuz  stannin'  dar  runnin'  dis  'roun'  in  he  min', 
yer  come  old  Brer  B'ar  en  all  er  he  fambly.  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  git  cross  ways  de  road,  he  did,  en  he  sorter  sidle  todes 
um.  Ole  Brer  B'ar,  he  stop  en  look,  but  Brer  Rabbit,  he 


24  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

keep  on  sidlin'  todes  um.  Ole  Miss  B'ar,  she  stun'  it  long 
ez  she  kin,  en  den  she  fling  down  'er  parry  sol  en  tuck  a 
tree.  Brer  B'ar  look  lak  he  gwine  ter  stan'  his  groun', 
but  Brer  Rabbit  he  jump  straight  up  in  de  a'r  en  gin  his- 
se'f  a  shake,  en,  bless  yo'  soul,  honey  !  ole  Brer  B'ar 
make  a  break,  en  dey  tells  me  he  to'  down  a  whole  panel 
er  fence  gittin'  'way  fum  dar.  En  ez  ter  Kubs  en  Klibs, 
dey  tuck  der  hats  in  der  han's,  en  dey  went  skaddlin'  thoo 
de  bushes  des  same  ez  a  drove  er  bosses." 

"  And  then  what  ?  "  the  little  boy  asked. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  p'raded  on  down  de  road,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  "  en  bimeby  yer  come  Brer  Fox  en  Brer 
Wolf,  fixin'  up  a  plan  fer  ter  nab  Brer  Rabbit,  en  dey  wuz 
so  intents  on  der  confab  dat  dey  got  right  on  Brer  Rabbit 
'fo'  dey  seed  'im  ;  but,  gentermens  !  w'en  dey  is  ketch 
a  glimpse  un  'im,  dey  gun  'im  all  de  room  he  want.  Brer 
Wolf,  he  try  ter  show  off,  he  did,  kase  he  wanter  play  big 
'fo'  Brer  Fox,  en  he  stop  en  ax  Brer  Rabbit  who  is  he. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  jump  up  en  down  in  de  middle  er  de 
road,  en  holler  out : 

"'  I'm  de  Wull-er-de-Wust.1  I'm  de  Wull-er-de-Wust, 
en  youer  de  man  I'm  atter  ! ' 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit  jump  up  en  down  en  make  lak  he 
gwine  atter  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf,  en  de  way  dem 
creeturs  lit  out  fum  dar  wuz  a  caution. 

"Long  time  atter  dat,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  folding 
his  hands  placidly  in  his  lap,  with  the  air  of  one  who  has 

1  Or  Wull-er-dc-Wuts.  Probably  a  fantastic  corruption  of  "  will-o'-the  wisp," 
though  this  is  not  by  any  means  certain. 


BROTHER    RABBIT    SECURES    A    MANSION.  25 

performed  a  pleasant  duty,  — "  long  time  atter  dat,  Brer 
Rabbit  come  up  wid  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf,  en  he  git 
behime  a  stump,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  holler  out : 

r'fl'm  de  Wull-er-de-Wust,  en  youer  de  mens  I'm 
atter ! ' 

"  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf,  dey  broke,  but  To'  dey  got 
outer  sight  en  outer  year'n',  Brer  Rabbit  show  hisse'f,  he 
did,  en  laugh  fit  ter  kill  hisse'f.  Atterwuds,  Miss  Meadows 
she  year  'bout  it,  en  de  nex'  time  Brer  Fox  call,  de  gals  dey 
up  en  giggle,  en  ax  'im  ef  he  aint  feard  de  Wull-er-de- 
Wust  mought  drap  in." 


VI. 

BROTHER  RABBIT  SECURES  A  MANSION. 

THE  rain  continued  to  fall  the  next  day,  but  the  little 
boy  made  arrangements  to  go  with  'Tildy  when  she  carried 
Uncle  Rernus  his  supper.  This  happened  to  be  a  waiter 
full  of  things  left  over  from  dinner.  There  was  so  much 
that  the  old  man  was  moved  to  remark  : 

"  I  cl'ar  ter  gracious,  hit  look  lak  Miss  Sally  done  got 
my  name  in  de  pot  dis  time,  sho'.  I  des  wish  you  look  at 
dat  pone  er  co'n-bread,  honey,  en  dem  ar  greens,  en  see  ef 
dey  aint  got  Remus  writ  some'rs  on  um.  Dat  ar  chick'n 
fixin's,  dey  look  lak  deyer  good,  yet  'taint  familious  wid  me 
lak  dat  ar  bile  ham.  Dem  ar  sweet-taters,  dey  stan's  fa'r 


26  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

fer  dividjun,  but  dem  ar  puzzuv,1 1  lay  dey  fit  yo'  palate  mo* 
samer  dan  dey  does  mine.  Dish  yer  hunk  er  beef,  we  kin 
talk  'bout  dat  w'en  de  time  come,  en  dem  ar  biscuits,  I 
des  nat'ally  knows  Miss  Sally  put  um  in  dar  fer  some 
little  chap  w'ich  his  name  I  aint  gwine  ter  call  in 
comp'ny." 

It  was  easy  to  perceive  that  the  sight  of  the  supper  had 
put  Uncle  Remus  in  rare  good-humor.  He  moved  around 
briskly,  taking  the  plates  from  the  waiter  and  distributing 
them  with  exaggerated  carefulness  around  upon  his  little 
pine  table.  Meanwhile  he  kept  up  a  running  fire  of  con- 
versation. 

"  Folks  w'at  kin  set  down  en  have  der  vittles  brung  en 
put  down  right  spang  und'  der  nose  —  dem  kinder  folks 
aint  got  no  needs  er  no  umbrell.  Night  'fo'  las',  w'iles  I 
wuz  settin'  dar  in  de  do',  I  year  dem  Willis-whistlers,  en 
den  I  des  knowed  we  'uz  gwine  ter  git  a  season."2 

"  The  Willis-whistlers,  Uncle  Remus,"  exclaimed  the 
little  boy.  "  What  are  they  ? 

"Youer  too  hard  fer  me  now,  honey.  Dat  wat  I  knows 
I  don't  min'  tellin',  but  w'en  you  axes  me  'bout  dat  wat  I 
dunno,  den  youer  too  hard  fer  me,  sho'.  Deze  yer  Wil- 
lis-whistlers, dey  bangs  my  time,  en  I  bin  knockin' 
'roun'  in  dish  yer  low-groun'  now  gwine  on  eighty  year. 
Some  folks  wanter  make  out  deyer  frogs,  yit  I  wish  dey 
p'int  out  unter  me  how  frogs  kin  holler  so  dat  de  nigher 

1  Preserves. 

2  In  the  South,  a  rain  is  called  a  "  season,  "  not  only  by  the  negroes,  but  by 
many  white  farmers. 


BROTHER    RABBIT    SECURES    A    MANSION.  27 

you  come  t'um,  de  furder  you  is  off;  I  be  mighty  glad  ef 
some  un  'ud  come  'long  en  tell  me  dat.  Many  en 
many's  de  time  is  I  gone  atter  deze  yer  Willis-whistlers, 
en,  no  diffunce  whar  I  goes,  deyer  allers  off  yander.  You 
kin  put  de  shovel  in  de  fier  en  make  de  squinch-owl  hush 
he  fuss,  en  you  kin  go  out  en  put  yo'  han'  on  de  trees  en 
make  deze  yere  locus'-bugs  quit  der  racket,  but  dem  ar 
Willis-whistlers  deyer  allers  'way  off  yander." 1 

Suddenly  Uncle  Remus  paused  over  one  of  the  dishes, 
and  exclaimed  : 

"  Gracious  en  de  goodness  !  Wat  kinder  doin's  is  dis 
Miss  Sally  done  gone  en  sont  us  ?  " 

"  That,"  said  the  little  boy,  after  making  an  investiga- 
tion, "  is  what  mamma  calls  a  floating  island." 

"Well,  den,"  Uncle  Remus  remarked,  in  a  relieved 
tone,  "  dat's  diffunt.  I  wuz  mos'  fear'd  it  'uz  some  er  dat 
ar  sillerbug,  w'ich  a  whole  jugful  aint  ska'cely  'nuff  fer 
ter  make  you  seem  like  you  dremp  'bout  smellin'  dram. 
Ef  I'm  gwine  ter  be  fed  on  foam,"  continued  the  old  man, 
by  way  of  explaining  his  position  on  the  subject  of  sylla- 
bub, "  let  it  be  foam,  en  ef  I'm  gwine  ter  git  dram, 
lemme  git  in  reach  un  it  w'ile  she  got  some  strenk  lef. 
Dat's  me  up  and  down.  W'en  it  come  ter  yo'  floatin' 
ilun,  des  gimme  a  hunk  er  ginger-cake  en  a  mug  er  'sim- 
mon-beer,  en  dey  wont  fine  no  nigger  w'ats  got  no  slicker 
feelins'  dan  w'at  I  is. 

1  It  is  a  far-away  sound  that  might  be  identified  with  one  of  the  various  un- 
dertones of  silence,  but  it  is  palpable  enough  (if  the  word  may  be  used)  to  have 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  humble  philosophers  of  the  old  plantation. 


28  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Miss  Sally  mighty  kuse  w'ite  'oman,"  Uncle  Remus 
went  on.  "  She  sendin'  all  deze  doin's  en  fixin's  down 
yer,  en  I  'speck  deyer  monst'us  nice,  but  no  longer'n  las' 
Chuseday  she  had  all  de  niggers  on  de  place,  big  en  little, 
gwine  squallin'  'roun'  fer  Remus.  Hit  'uz  Remus  yer  en 
Remus  dar,  en,  lo  en  beholes,  w'en  I  come  ter  fine  out, 
Miss  Sally  want  Remus  fer  ter  whirl  in  en  cook  'er  one  er 
deze  yer  ole-time  ash-cakes.  She  bleedzd  ter  have  it  den 
en  dar ;  en  w'en  I  git  it  done,  Miss  Sally,  she  got  a  glass 
er  buttermilk,  en  tuck'n  sot  right  flat  down  on  de  flo',  des 
like  she  useter  w'en  she  wuz  little  gal."  The  old  man 
paused,  straightened  up,  looked  at  the  child  over  his  spec- 
tacles, and  continued,  with  emphasis  :  "  En  I  be  bless 
ef  she  aint  eat  a  hunk  er  dat  ash-cake  mighty  nigh  ez 
big  ez  yo'  head,  en  den  she  tuck'n  make  out  'twa'n't 
cook  right. 

"Now,  den,  honey,  all  deze  done  fix.  You  set  over  dar, 
and  I'll  set  over  yer,  en  'twix'  en  'tween  us  we'll  sample 
dish  yer  truck  en  see  w'at  is  it  Miss  Sally  done  gone  en  sont 
us  ;  en  w'iles  we  er  makin'  'way  wid  it,  I'll  sorter  rustle 
'roun'  wid  my  'membunce,  en  se  ef  I  kin  call  ter  min'  de 
tale  'bout  how  ole  Brer  Rabbit  got  'im  a  two-story  house 
widout  layin'  out  much  casli." 

Uncle  Remus  stopped  talking  a  little  while  and  pre- 
tended to  be  trying  to  remember  something,  —  an  effort 
that  was  accompanied  by  a  curious  humming  sound  in  his 
throat.  Finally,  he  brightened  up  and  began  : 

"  Hit  tu'n  out  one  time  dat  a  whole  lot  er  de  creeters 
tuck  a  notion  dat  dey'd  go  in  cahoots  wid  buil'n'  un  um  a 


BROTHER    RABBIT    SECURES    A    MANSION.          29 

house.  Ole  Brer  B'ar,  he  was  'mongs'  um,  en  Brer  Fox, 
en  Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer  'Coon,  en  Brer  'Possum.  I  wont 
make  slio',  but  it  seem  like  ter  me  dat  plum  down  ter  ole 
Brer  Mink  'uz  'mongs'  um.  Leas'ways,  dey  wuz  a  whole 
passel  un  um,  en  dey  whirl  in,  dey  did,  en  dey  buil'  de 
house  in  less'n  no  time.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  lak  it  make 
he  head  swim  fer  ter  climb  up  on  de  scaffle,  en  likewise  he  say 
it  make  'im  ketch  de  palsy  fer  ter  wuk  in  de  sun,  but  he  got 
'im  a  squar',  en  he  stuck  a  pencil  behime  he  year,  en  he 
went 'roun'  medjun1  en  markin' — medjun  en  markin'  — 
en  he  wuz  dat  busy  dat  de  yuther  creeturs  say  ter  deyse'f 
he  doin'  monst'us  sight  er  wuk,  en  folks  gwine  'long  de  big 
road  say  Brer  Rabbit  doin'  mo'  hard  wuk  dan  de  whole  kit 
en  bilin'  un  um.  Yit  all  de  time  Brer  Rabbit  aint  doin' 
nothin',  en  he  des  well  bin  lay  in'  off  in  de  shade  scratchin' 
de  fleas  offn  'im.  De  yuther  creeturs,  dey  buil'  de  house, 
en,  gentermens  !  she  'uz  a  fine  un,  too,  mon.  She'd  V 
bin  a  fine  un  deze  days,  let  'lone  dem  days.  She  had  er 
upsta'rs  en  downsta'rs,  en  chimbleys  all  'roun',  en  she  had 
rooms  fer  all  de  creeturs  w'at  went  inter  cahoots  en  hope 
make  it. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  pick  out  one  er  de  upsta'rs  rooms,  en 
he  tuck'n'  got  'im  a  gun,  en  one  er  deze  yer  brass  can- 
nons, en  he  tuck'n'  put  um  in  dar  w'en  de  yuther  creeturs 
aint  lookin',  en  den  he  tuck'n'  got  'im  a  tub  er  nasty  slop- 
water,  w'ich  likewise  he  put  in  dar  w'en  dey  aint  lookin'. 
So  den,  w'en  dey  git  de  house  all  fix,  en  w'iles  dey  wuz 

1  Measuring. 


30  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

all  a-settin'  in  de  parlor  atter  supper,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sor- 
ter gap  en  stretch  hisse'f,  en  make  his  'skuses  en  say  he 
b'leeve  he'll  go  ter  he  room.  Wen  he  git  clar,  en  w'iles 
all  de  yuther  creeturs  wuz  a-laughin'  en  a-chattin'  des  ez 
sociable  ez  you  please,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  stick  he  head  out 
er  de  do'  er  he  room  en  sing  out : 

f  Wen  a  big  man  like  me  wanter  set  down,  wharbouts 
he  gwine  ter  set  ? '  sezee. 

"  Den  de  yuther  creeturs  dey  laugh,  en  holler  back  : 
' f  Ef  big  man  like  you  can't  set  in  a  cheer,  he  better 
set  down  on  de  floV 

:f  Watch  out  down  dar,  den,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 
f  Kaze  I'm  a  gwine  ter  set  down,'  sezee. 

"Wid  dat,  bang!  went  Brer  Rabbit  gun.  Co'se,  dis 
sorter  'stonish  de  creeturs,  en  dey  look  'roun'  at  one  er 
n'er  much  ez  ter  say,  Wat  in  de  name  er  gracious  is 
dat?  Dey  lissen  en  lissen,  but  dey  don't  year  no  mo'  fuss, 
en  'twa'n't  long  To'  dey  got  ter  chattin'  en  jabberin'  some 
mo'.  Bimeby,  Brer  Rabbit  stick  he  head  outer  he  room 
do',  en  sing  out  : 

'  Wen  a  big  man  like  me  wanter  sneeze,  wharbouts 
he  gwine  ter  sneeze  at  ? ' 

"Den  de  yuther  creeturs,  dey  tuck'n'  holler  back  : 
' '  Ef  big  man  like  you  aint  a  gone  gump,  he  kin  sneeze 
anywhar  he  please.' 

'  Watch  out  down  dar,  den,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

'Kaze  I'm  gwineter  tu'n  loose  en  sneeze  right  yer,'  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  let  off  his  cannon  —  bulderum- 

m-ml     De  winder-glass  dey  shuck  en  rattle,  en  de  house 


BROTHER    RABBIT    SECURES    A    MANSION.          31 

shuck  like  she  gwine  ter  come  down,  en  ole  Brer  B'ar,  he 
fell  out  de  rockin'-cheer  —  kerblump  I  Wen  de  creeturs 
git  sorter  settle,  Brer  'Possum  en  Brer  Mink,  dey  up'n'  low 
dat  Brer  Rabbit  got  sech  a  monst'us  bad  cole,  dey  b'leeve 
dey '11  step  out  and  git  some  fresh  a'r,  but  dem  yuther 
creeturs,  dey  say  dey  gwine  ter  stick  it  out ;  en  atter  w'ile, 
w'en  dey  git  der  h'ar  smoove  down,  dey  'gun  ter  jower 
'mongs'  deyse'f.  'Bout  dat  time,  w'en  dey  get  in  a  good 
way,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sing  out : 

'When  a  big  man  like  me  take  a  chaw  terbacker, 
wharbouts  he  gwine  ter  spit?' 

"Den  de  yuther  creeturs,  dey  holler  back,  dey  did, 
sorter  like  deyer  mad : 

T e  Big  man  er  little  man,  spit  whar  you  please.' 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  squall  out : 

' '  Dis  de  way  a  big  man  spit ! '  en  wid  dat  he  tilt  over 
de  tub  er  slop- water,  en  w'en  de  yuther  creeturs  year  it 
come  a-sloshin'  down  de  sta'r-steps,  gentermens  !  dey  des 
histed  deyse'f  outer  dar.  Some  un  um  went  out  de  back 
do',  en  some  un  um  went  but  de  front  do',  en  some  un  um 
fell  out  de  winders ;  some  went  one  way  en  some  went 
n'er  way ;  but  dey  all  went  sailin'  out." 

"  But  what  became  of  Brother  Rabbit  ?  "  the  little  boy 
asked. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  des  tuck'n'  shot  up  de  house  en  fassen 
de  winders,  en  den  he  go  ter  bed,  he  did,  en  pull  de 
coverled  up  'roun'  he  years,  en  he  sleep  like  a  man  w'at 
aint  owe  nobody  nuthin' ;  en  needer  do  he  owe  um,  kaze 
ef  dem  yuther  creeturs  gwine  git  skeer'd  en  run  off  fum 


32  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

der  own  house,  w'at  bizness  is  dat  er  Brer  Rabbit?     Dat 
w'at  I  like  ter  know." 


VII.    . 

MR.   LION  HUNTS  FOR    MR.   MAN. 

UNCLE  REMUS  sighed  heavily  as  he  lifted  the  trivet  on 
the  head  of  his  walking-cane,  and  hung  it  carefully  by 
the  side  of  the  griddle  in  the  cavernous  fireplace. 

"Folks  kin  come  'long  wid  der  watchermaycollums," 
he  said,  presently,  turning  to  the  little  boy,  who  was 
supplementing  his  supper  by  biting  off  a  chew  of  shoe- 
maker's-wax,  "  en  likewise  dey  kin  fetch  'roun'  der  watziz- 
names.  Dey  kin  walk  biggity,  en  dey  kin  talk  biggity, 
en,  mo'n  dat,  dey  kin  feel  biggity,  but  yit  all  de  same 
deyer  gwine  ter  git  kotch  up  wid.  Dey  go  'long  en  dey 
go  ''long,  en  den  bimeby  yer  come  trouble  en  snatch  um 
slonchways,  en  de  mo'  bigger  w'at  dey  is,  de  wusser  does 
dey  git  snatched." 

The  little  boy  didn't  understand  this  harangue  at  all, 
but  he  appreciated  it  because  he  recognized  it  as  the  pre- 
lude to  a  story. 

"  Dar  wuz  Mr.  Lion,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on ;  "  he 
tuck'n'  sot  hisse'f  up  fer  ter  be  de  boss  er  all  de  yuther 


MR.    LION    HUNTS    FOR    MR.    MAN.  33 

creeturs,  en  he  feel  so  biggity  dat  he  go  ro'in'  en  rampin' 
'roun'  de  neighborhoods  'wuss'n  dat  ar  speckle  bull  w'at 
you  see  down  at  yo'  link'  Jeems  Abercrombie  place  las' 
year.  He  went  ro'in'  'roun',  he  did,  en  eve'ywhar  he  go 
he  year  talk  er  Mr.  Man.  Right  in  de  middle  er  he 
braggin',  some  un  'ud  up'n'  tell  'im  'bout  w'at  Mr.  Man 
done  done.  Mr.  Lion,  he  say  he  done  dis,  en  den  he 
year  'bout  how  Mr.  Man  done  dat.  Hit  went  on  dis  a-way 
twel  bimeby  Mr.  Lion  shake  he  mane,  he  did,  en  he  up'n' 
say  dat  he  gwine  ter  s'arch  'roun'  en  'roun',  en  high  en 
low,  fer  ter  see  ef  he  can't  fine  Mr.  Man,  en  he  'low,  Mr. 
Lion  did,  dat  w'en  he  do  fine  'im,  he  gwine  ter  tu'n  in  en 
gin  Mr.  Man  sech  n'er  larrupin'  w'at  nobody  aint  never 
had  yit.  Dem  yuther  creeturs,  dey  tuck'n'  tell  Mr.  Lion 
dat  he  better  let  Mr.  Man  'lone,  but  Mr.  Lion  say  he 
gwine  ter  hunt  'im  down  spite  er  all  dey  kin  do. 

"  Sho'  nuff,  atter  he  done  tuck  some  res',  Mr.  Lion,  he 
put  out  down  de  big  road.  Sun,  she  rise  up  en  shine  hot, 
but  Mr.  Lion,  he  keep  on ;  win',  hit  come  up  en  blow,  en 
fill  de  elements  full  er  dust ;  rain,  hit  drif  up  en  drizzle 
down ;  but  Mr.  Lion,  he  keep  on.  Bimeby,  w'iles  he 
gwine  on  dis  away,  wid  he  tongue  hangin'  out,  he  come 
up  wid  Mr.  Steer,  grazin'  'long  on  de  side  er  de  road. 
Mr.  Lion,  he  up'n'  ax  'im  howdy,  he  did,  monst'us 
perlite,  en  Mr.  Steer  likewise  he  bow  en  scrape  en  show 
his  manners.  Den  Mr.  Lion,  he  do  lak  he  wanter  have 
some  confab  wid  'im,  en  he  up'n'  say,  sezee  : 

"Is  dey  anybody  'roun'  in  deze  parts  name  Mr.  Man?' 
sezee. 


34  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

' '  Tooby  sho'  dey  is,'  sez  Mr.  Steer,  sezee  ;  '  anybody 
kin  tell  you  dat.  I  knows  'im  mighty  well,'  sezee. 

'  Well,  den,  he  de  ve'y  chap  I'm  atter,'  sezee. 

?  Wat  mought  be  yo'  bizness  wid  Mr.  Man?'  sez  Mr. 
Steer,  sezee. 

' '  I  done  come  dis  long  ways  fer  ter  gin  'im  a  larrupin,' 
sez  Mr.  Lion,  sezee.  'I'm  gwine  ter  show  'im  who  de 
boss  er  deze  neighborhoods,'  sezee,  en  wid  dat  Mr.  Lion, 
he  shake  he  mane,  en  switch  he  tail,  en  strut  up  en  down 
wuss'n  one  er  deze  yer  town  niggers. 

'  Well,  den,  ef  dat  w'at  you  come  atter,'  sez  Mr. 
Steer,  sezee,  'you  des  better  slew  yo'se'f  'roun'  en  p'int 
yo'  nose  todes  home,  kaze  you  fixin'  fer  ter  git  in  shoj 
'nuff  trouble,'  sezee. 

"I'm  gwine  ter  larrup  dat  same  Mr.  Man,'  sez  Mr. 
Lion,  sezee ;  '  I  done  come  fer  dat,  en  dat  w'at  I'm  gwine 
ter  do,'  sezee. 

"  Mr.  Steer,  he  draw  long  breff,  he  did,  en  chaw  he  cud 
slow,  en  atter  w'ile  he  say,  sezee : 

'  You  see  me  stannin'  yer  front  er  yo'  eyes,  en  you  see 
how  big  I  is,  en  w'at  long,  sharp  hawns  I  got.  Well, 
big  ez  my  heft  is,  en  sharp  dough  my  hawns  be,  yit  Mr. 
Man,  he  come  out  yer  en  he  ketch  me,  en  he  put  me  und' 
a  yoke,  en  he  hitch  me  up  in  a  kyart,  en  he  make  me  haul 
he  wood,  en  he  drive  me  anywhar  he  min'  ter.  He  do  dat. 
Better  let  Mr.  Man  'lone,'  sezee.  ?  Ef  you  fool  'long  wid 
'im,  watch  out  dat  he  don't  hitch  you  up  en  have  you 
prancin'  'roun'  yer  pullin'  he  kyart,'  sezee. 


MR.    LION    HUNTS    FOR    MR.    MAN.  35 

"Mr.  Lion,  he  fotch  a  roar,  en  put  out  down  de  road, 
en  'twa'n't  so  mighty  long  To'  he  come  up  wid  Mr.  Hoss, 
w'ich  he  wuz  a-nibblin'  en  a-croppin'  de  grass.     Mr.  Lion 
make  hisse'f  know'd,  en  den  he  tuckV  ax  Mr.  Hoss  do  he 
know  Mr.  Man. 

"Mighty  well,'  sez  Mr.  Hoss,  sezee,  f  en  mo'n  dat,  I 
bin  a-knowin'  'im  a  long  time.  Wat  you  want  wid  Mr. 
Man?'  sezee. 

f c  I'm  a  huntin'  'im  up  fer  ter  larrup  'im,'  sez  Mr.  Lion, 
sezee.  '  Dey  tels  me  he  mighty  stuck  up,'  sezee,  '  en  I 
gwine  take  'im  down  a  peg,'  sezee. 

"  Mr.  Hoss  look  at  Mr.  Lion  like  he  sorry,  en  bimeby 
he  up'n  say : 

f  f  I  'speck  you  better  let  Mr.  Man  'lone,'  sezee.  f  You 
see  how  big  I  is,  en  how  much  strenk  w'at  I  got,  en  how 
tough  my  foots  is,'  sezee  ;  '  well  dish  yer  Mr.  Man,  he  kin 
take'n'  take  me  en  hitch  me  up  in  he  buggy,  en  make  me 
haul  'im  all  'roun',  en  den  he  kin  take'n'  fassen  me  ter  de 
plow  en  make  me  break  up  all  his  new  groun','  sezee. 
'  You  better  go  'long  back  home.  Fus'  news  you  know, 
Mr.  Man'll  have  you  breakin'  up  his  new  groun','  sezee. 

"  Spite  er  all  dis,  Mr.  Lion,  he  shake  he  mane  en  say 
he  gwine  ter  larrup  Mr.  Man  anyhow.  He  went  on  down 
de  big  road,  he  did,  en  bimeby  he  come  up  wid  Mr.  Jack 
Sparrer,  settin'  up  in  de  top  er  de  tree.  Mr.  Jack  Spar- 
rer,  he  whirl  'roun'  en  chirp,  en  flutter  'bout  up  dar,  en 
'pariently  make  a  great  'miration. 

' f  Heyo  yer  ! '  sezee  ;  *  who'd  er  'speckted  fer  ter  see 


36  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Mr.  Lion  'way  down  yer  in  dis  neighborhoods?'  sezee. 
'  Whar  you  gwine,  Mr.  Lion?'  sezee. 

"Den  Mr.  Lion  ax  ef  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer  know  Mr. 
Man,  en  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer  say  he  know  Mr.  Man  mighty 
Veil.  Den  Mr.  Lion,  he  ax  ef  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer  know 
whar  he  stay,  w'ich  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer  say  dat  he  do. 
Mr.  Lion  ax  wharbouts  is  Mr.  Man,  en  Mr.  Jack  Spar- 
rer say  he  right  'cross  dar  in  de  new  groun',  en  he  up'n' 
ax  Mr.  Lion  w'at  he  want  wid  'im,  w'ich  Mr.  Lion  'spon' 
dat  he  gwine  larrup  Mr.  Man,  en  wid  dat,  Mr.  Jack 
Sparrer,  he  up'n'  say,  sezee : 

*  You  better  let  Mr.  Man  'lone.  You  see  how  little 
I  is,  en  likewise  how  high  I  kin  fly ;  yit,  'spite  er  dat, 
Mr.  Man,  he  kin  fetch  me.  down  w'en  he  git  good  and 
ready,'  sezee.  '  You  better  tuck  yo'  tail  en  put  out  home,' 
sez  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer,  sezee,  'kaze  bimeby  Mr.  Man'll 
fetch  you  down,'  sezee. 

"But  Mr.  Lion  des  vow  he  gwine  atter  Mr.  Man,  en 
go  he  would,  en  go  he  did.  He  aint  never  see  Mr.  Man, 
Mr.  Lion  aint,  en  he  dunner  w'at  he  look  lak,  but  he  go 
on  todes  de  new  groun'.  Sho'  'nuff,  dar  wuz  Mr.  Man, 
out  dar  maulin'  rails  fer  ter  make  'im  a  fence.  He  'uz 
rippin'  up  de  butt  cut,  Mr.  Man  wuz,  en  he  druv  in  his 
wedge  en  den  he  stuck  in  de  glut.  He  'uz  splittin'  'way, 
w'en  bimeby  he  year  rustlin'  out  dar  in  de  bushes,  en  he 
look  up,  en  dar  wuz  Mr.  Lion.  Mr.  Lion  ax  'im  do  he 
know  Mr.  Man,  en  Mr.  Man  'low  dat  he  know  'im  mo' 
samer  dan  ef  he  wer'  his  twin  brer.  Den  Mr.  Lion  'low 
dat  he  wanter  see  'im,  en  den  Mr.  Man  say,  sezee,  dat  ef 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    PIGS.  37 

Mr.  Lion  will  come  stick  his  paw  in  de  split  fer  ter  hoF 
cle  log  open  twel  he  git  back,  he  go  fetch  Mr.  Man.  Mr. 
Lion  he  march  up  en  slap  his  paw  in  de  place,  en  den  Mr. 
Man,  he  tuck'n'  knock  de  glut  out,  en  de  split  close  up, 
en  dar  Mr.  Lion  wuz.  Mr.  Man,  he  stan'  off  en  say, 
sezee  : 

'  Ef  you'd  'a'  bin  a  steer  er  hoss,  you  mought  er  run'd, 
en  ef  you'd  'a'  bin  a  sparrer,  you  mought  er  flew'd,  but 
yer  you  is,  en  you  kotch  yo'se'f,'  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat,  Mr.  Man  sa'nter  out  in  de  bushes  en  cut  'im 
a  hick'ry,  en  he  let  in  on  Mr.  Lion,  en  he  frail  en  frail 
'im  twel  frailin'  un  'im  wuz  a  sin.  En  down  ter  dis  day," 
continued  Uncle  Remus,  in  a  tone  calculated  to  destroy 
all  doubt,  "  you  can't  git  no  Lion  ter  come  up  whar  dey's 
a  Man  a-maulin'  rails  en  put  he  paw  in  de  split.  Dat 
you  can't ! " 


VIII. 

THE  STORY  OF  THE  PIGS. 

UNCLE  REMUS  relapsed  into  silence  again,  and  the  little 
boy,  with  nothing  better  to  do,  turned  his  attention  to  the 
bench  upon  which  the  old  man  kept  his  shoemaker's  tools. 
Prosecuting  his  investigations  in  this  direction,  the  young- 
ster finally  suggested  that  the  supply  of  bristles  was  about 
exhausted. 


38  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

"I  dunner  w'atMiss  Sally  wanter  besendin'  un  you  down 
yer  fer,  ef  you  gwine  ter  be  stirr'n'  en  bodderin'  'longer 
dem  ar  doin's,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  indignantly. 
"  Now  don't  you  scatter  dem  hog-bristle  !  De  time  wuz 
w'en  folks  had  a  mighty  slim  chance  fer  ter  git  bristle,  en 
dey  aint  no  tellin'  w'en  dat  time  gwine  come  ag'in.  Let 
'lone  dat,  de  time  wuz  w'en  de  breed  er  hogs  wuz  done 
run  down  ter  one  po'  little  pig,  en  it  look  lak  mighty  sorry 
chance  fer  dem  w'at  was  bleedzd  ter  have  bristle." 

By  this  time  Uncle  Remus's  indignation  had  vanished, 
disappearing  as  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  as  it  came. 
The  little  boy  was  curious  to  know  when  and  where  and 
how  the  bristle  famine  occurred. 

"I  done  tole  you  'bout  dat  too  'long  'go  ter  talk  'bout," 
the  old  man  declared ;  but  the  little  boy  insisted  that  he 
had  never  heard  about  it  before,  and  he  was  so  persistent 
that  at  last  Uncle  Remus,  in  self-defence,  consented  to 
tell  the  story  of  the  Pigs. 

"  One  time,  'way  back  yander,  de  ole  Sow  en  er  chil- 
luns  wuz  all  livin'  longer  de  yuther  creeturs.  Hit  seem 
lak  ter  me  dat  de  ole  Sow  wuz  a  widder  'oman,  en  ef  I 
don't  run  inter  no  mistakes,  hit  look  like  ter  me  dat  she  got 
five  chilluns.  Lemme  see,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  with 
the  air  of  one  determined  to  justify  his  memory  by  a  ref- 
erence to  the  record,  and  enumerating  with  great  delibera- 
tion, —  "  dar  wuz  Big  Pig,  en  dar  wuz  Little  Pig,  en  dar 
wuz  Speckle  Pig,  en  dar  wuz  Blunt,  en  las'  en  lonesomes', 
dar  wuz  Runt. 

"One  day,  deze  yer  Pig  ma  she  know  she  gwine  kick 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    PIGS.  39 

de  bucket,  and  she  tuck'n'  call  up  all  'er  chilluns  en  tell 
um  dat  de  time  done  come  w'en  dey  got  ter  look  out  fer 
deyse'f,  en  den  she  upV  tell  um  good  ez  she  kin,  dough 
'er  breff  mighty  scant,  'bout  w'at  a  bad  man  is  ole  Brer 
Wolf.  She  say,  sez  she,  dat  if  dey  kin  make  der  'scape 
from  ole  Brer  Wolf,  dey '11  be  doin'  monst'us  well.  Big 
Pig  'low  she  aint  skeer'd,  Speckle  Pig  'low  she  aint  skeer'd, 
Blunt,  he  say  he  mos'  big  a  man  ez  Brer  Wolf  hisse'f,  en 
Runt,  she  des  tuck'n'  root  'roun'  in  de  straw  en  grunt. 
But  ole  Widder  Sow,  she  lay  dar,  she  did,  en  keep  on  tel- 
lin'  um  dat  dey  better  keep  der  eye  on  Brer  Wolf,  kaze 
he  mighty  mean  en  'seetful  man. 

"Not  long  atter  dat,  sho'  'nuff  ole  Miss  Sow  lay  down 
en  die,  en  all  dem  ar  chilluns  er  hern  wuz  flung  back  on 
deyse'f,  en  dey  whirl  in,  dey  did,  en  dey  buiP  um  all  a 
house  ter  live  in.  Big  Pig,  she  tuck'n'  buil'  'er  a  house 
outer  bresh ;  Little  Pig,  she  tuck'n'  buil'  a  stick  house ; 
Speckle  Pig,  she  tuck'n'  buil'  a  mud  house ;  Blunt,  he 
tuck'n'  buil'  a  plank  house ;  en  Runt,  she  don't  make  no 
great  ter-do,  en  no  great  brags,  but  she  went  ter  wuk,  she 
did,  en  buil'  a  rock  house. 

"Bimeby,  w'en  dey  done  got  all  fix,  en  marters  wuz 
sorter  settle,  soon  one  mawnin'  yer  come  ole  Brer  Wolf, 
a-lickin'  un  his  chops  en  a-shakin'  un  his  tail.  Fus'  house 
he  come  ter  wuz  Big  Pig  house.  Brer  Wolf  walk  ter  de 
do',  he  did,  en  he  knock  sorter  saf  —  Him!  bliml  bliml 
Nobody  aint  answer.  Den  he  knock  loud  —  blam  !  blam  I 
blam!  Dis  wake  up  Big  Pig,  en  she  come  ter  de  do',  en 


40  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

she  ax  who  dat.     Brer  Wolf  'low  it's  a  fr'en',  en  den  he 
sing  out : 

"  4  Ef  you'll  open  de  do'  en  let  me  in, 
ril  worn  my  han's  en  go  home  ag'in.' 

"  Still  Big  Pig  ax  who  dat,  en  den  Brer  Wolf,  he  up'n' 
say,  sezee  : 

' '  How  yo'  ma  ? '  sezee. 

"My  ma  done  dead,'  sez  Big  Pig,  sezee,  'en  To'  she 
die  she  tell  me  fer  ter  keep  my  eye  on  Brer  Wolf.  I  sees 
you  thoo  de  crack  er  de  do',  en  you  look  mighty  like  Brer 
Wolf,'  sezee. 

"  Den  ole  Brer  Wolf,  he  draw  a  long  breff  lak  he  feel 
mighty  bad,  en  he  up'n'  say,  sezee  : 

"I  dunner  w'at  change  yo'  ma  so  bad,  less'n  she  'uz 
out'n  'er  head.  I  year  tell  dat  ole  Miss  Sow  wuz  sick,  en 
I  say  ter  myse'f  dat  I'd  kinder  drap  'roun'  en  see  how  de 
ole  lady  is,  en  fetch  'er  dish  yer  bag  er  roas'n'-years. 
Mighty  well  does  I  know  dat  ef  yo'  ma  wuz  yer  right  now, 
en  in  'er  min',  she'd  take  de  roas'n'-years  en  be  glad  fer  ter 
git  um,  en  mo'n  dat,  she'd  take'n'  ax  me  in  by  de  fire  fer 
ter  worn  my  han's,'  sez  ole  Brer  Wolf,  sezee. 

"  De  talk  'bout  de  roas'n'-ears  make  Big  Pig  mouf  water, 
en  bimeby,  atter  some  mo'  palaver,  she  open  de  do'  en  let 
Brer  Wolf  in,  en  bless  yo'  soul,  honey  !  dat  uz  de  las'  er 
Big  Pig.  She  aint  had  time  fer  ter  squeal  en  needer  fer 
ter  grunt  'fo'  Brer  Wolf  gobble  'er  up. 

"  Next  day,  ole  Brer  Wolf  put  up  de  same  game  on 
Little  Pig ;  he  go  en  he  sing  he  song,  en  Little  Pig,  she 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    PIGS.  41 

tuck'n'  let  'im  in,  en  den  Brer  Wolf  he  tuckV  'turn  de 
compelerments1  en  let  Little  Pig  in." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  laughed  long  and  loud  at  his  con- 
ceit, and  he  took  occasion  to  repeat  it  several  times. 

"  Little  Pig,  she  let  Brer  Wolf  in,  en  Brer  Wolf,  he  let 
Little  Pig  in,  en  w'at  mo'  kin  you  ax  dan  dat?  Nex'  time 
Brer  Wolf  pay  a  call,  he  drop  in  on  Speckle  Pig,  en  rap 
at  de  do'  en  sing  his  song : 

"  '  Ef  you'll  open  de  do'  en  let  me  in, 
Pit  worn  my  harts  en  go  home  ag'in.' 

w  But  Speckle  Pig,  she  kinder  'spicion  sump'n',  en  she 
'fuse  ter  open  de  do'.  Yit  Brer  Wolf  mighty  'seetful  man, 
en  he  talk  mighty  saf  en  he  talk  mighty  sweet.  Bimeby, 
he  git  he  nose  in  de  crack  er  de  do'  en  he  say  ter  Speckle 
Pig,  sezee,  fer  ter  des  let  'im  git  one  paw  in,  en  den  he 
wont  go  no  furder.  He  git  de  paw  in,  en  den  he  beg  fer 
ter  git  de  yuther  paw  in,  en  den  w'en  he  git  dat  in  he  beg 
fer  ter  git  he  head  in,  en  den  w'en  he  git  he  head  in,  en 
he  paws  in,  co'se  all  he  got  ter  do  is  ter  shove  de  do'  open 
en  walk  right  in  ;  en  w'en  marters  stan'  dat  way,  'twa'n't 
long  'fo'  he  done  make  fresh  meat  er  Speckle  Pig. 

w  Nex'  day,  he  make  way  wid  Blunt,  en  de  day  atter,  he 
'low  dat  he  make  a  pass  at  Runt.  Now,  den,  right  dar 
whar  ole  Brer  Wolf  slip  up  at.  He  lak  some  folks  w'at 
I  knows.  He'd  'a'  bin  mighty  smart,  ef  he  hadn't  er  bin 
too  smart.  Runt  wuz  de  littles'  one  er  de  whole  gang,  yit 

1  Compliments. 


42  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

all  de  same  news  done  got  out  dat  she  'uz  pestered  wid 
sense  like  grown  folks. 

"Brer  Wolf,  he  crope  up  ter  Runt  house,  en  he  got 
un'need  de  winder,  he  did,  en  he  sing  out : 

"  '  Ef  you'll  open  de  do'  en  let  me  in, 
I'll  worn  my  han's  en  go  home  ag'in.' 

"But  all  de  same,  Brer  Wolf  can't  coax  Runt  fer  ter 
open  de  do',  en  needer  kin  he  break  in,  kaze  de  house 
done  made  outer  rock.  Bimeby  Brer  Wolf  make  out  he 
done  gone  off,  en  den  atter  while  he  come  back  en  knock 
at  de  do' — blam,  blam,  blaml 

"Runt  she  sot  by  de  fier,  she  did,  en  sorter  scratch  'er 
year,  en  holler  out : 

"'Who  dat?'  sezshe. 

"'  Hit's  Speckle  Pig,'  sez  ole  Brer  Wolf,  sezee,  'twix' 
a  snort  en  a  grunt.  *  I  fotch  yer  some  peas  fer  yo' 
dinner ! ' 

"  Runt,  she  tuck'n'  laugh,  she  did,  en  holler  back : 

' '  Sis'  Speckle  Pig  aint  never  talk  thoo  dat  many 
toofies.' 

"  Brer  Wolf  go  off  'g'in ,  en  bimeby  he  come  back  en 
knock.  Runt  she  sot  en  rock,  en  holler  out : 

"'Who  dat?' 

" '  Big  Pig,'  sez  Brer  Wolf.  '  I  fotch  some  sweet-co'n 
fer  yo'  supper.' 

"Runt,  she  look  thoo  de  crack  un'need  de  do',  en  laugh 
en  say,  sez  she  : 

"  Sis  Big  Pig  aint  had  no  ha'r  on  'er  huff.' 


MR.    BENJAMIN    RAM.  43 

"Den  old  Brer  Wolf,  he  git  mad,  he  did,  en  say  he 
gwine  come  down  de  chimbley,  en  Runt,  she  say,  sez  she, 
dat  de  onliest  way  w'at  he  kin  git  in ;  en  den,  w'en  she 
year  Brer  Wolf  clam'in'  up  on  de  outside  er  de  chimbley, 
she  tuck'n'  pile  up  a  whole  lot  er  broom  sage  front  er  de 
h'a'th,  en  w'en  she  year  'im  clam'in'  down  on  de  inside, 
she  tuck  de  tongs  en  shove  de  straw  on  de  fier,  en  de 
smoke  make  Brer  Wolf  head  swim,  en  he  drap  down,  en 
'fo'  he  know  it,  he  'uz  done  bu'nt  ter  a  cracklin' ;  en  dat 
wuz  delas'  er  ole  Brer  Wolf.  Leas'ways,"  added  Uncle 
Remus,  putting  in  a  cautious  proviso  to  fall  back  upon  in 
case  of  an  emergency,  "  leas'ways,  hit  'uz  de  las'  er  dat 
Brer  Wolf." 


IX. 


ME.   BENJAMIN  RAM   AND    HIS     WONDERFUL 
FIDDLE. 

"  I  'SPECK  you  done  year  tell  er  ole  man  Benjermun 
Ram,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  a  great  affectation  of 
indifference,  after  a  pause. 

"  Old  man  who?  "  asked  the  little  boy. 

"  Old  man  Benjermun  Ram.  I  'speck  you  done  year 
tell  er  him  too  long  'go  ter  talk  'bout." 

"  Why,  no,  I  haven't,  Uncle  Remus  ! "  exclaimed  the 
little  boy,  protesting  and  laughing.  "  He  must  have  been 
a  mighty  funny  old  man." 


44  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

"Dat's  ez  may  be,"  responded  Uncle  Kemus,  senten- 
tiously.  w  Fun  deze  days  wouldn't  er  counted  fer  fun  in 
dem  days  ;  en  many's  de  time  w'at  I  see  folks  laughin'," 
continued  the  old  man,  with  such  withering  sarcasm  that 
the  little  boy  immediately  became  serious,  —  "  many's  de 
time  w'at  I  sees  um  laughin'  en  laughin',  w'en  I  lay  dey 
aint  kin  tell  w'at  deyer  laughin'  at  deyse'f.  En  'taint 
der  laughin'  w'at  pesters  me,  nudder,"  —  relenting  a  little, 
— "  hit's  dish  yer  ev'lastin'  snickle  en  giggle,  giggle  en 
snickle." 

Having  thus  mapped  out,  in  a  dim  and  uncertain  way, 
what  older  people  than  the  little  boy  might  have  been 
excused  for  accepting  as  a  sort  of  moral  basis,  Uncle 
Remus  proceeded : 

"  Dish  yer  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  w'ich  he  done  come  up 
inter  my  min',  wuz  one  er  deze  yer  ole-timers.  Dey  tells 
me  dat  he  'uz  a  fiddler  fum  away  back  yander  —  one  er 
dem  ar  kinder  fiddlers  w'at  can't  git  de  chune  down  fine 
'less  dey  pats  der  foot.  He  stay  all  by  he  own-alone  se'f 
'way  out  in  de  middle  un  a  big  new-groun',  en  he  sech  a 
handy  man  fer  ter  have  at  a  frolic  dat  de  yuther  creeturs 
like  'im  mighty  well,  en  w'en  dey  tuck  a  notion  fer  ter 
shake  der  foot,  w'ich  de  notion  tuck'n'  struck  um  eve'y 
once  in  a  w'ile,  nuthin'  'ud  do  but  dey  mus'  sen'  fer  ole 
man  Benjermun  Ram  en  he  fiddle  ;  en  dey  do  say,"  con- 
tinued Uncle  Remus,  closing  his  eyes  in  a  sort  of  ecstasy, 
"  dat  w'en  he  squar'  hisse'f  back  in  a  cheer,  en  git  in  a 
weavin'  way,  he  kin  des  snatch  dem  ole-time  chunes  fum 


MR.    BENJAMIN    RAM.  45 

who  lay  de  rail.1  En  den,  w'en  de  frolic  wuz  done,  dey'd 
all  fling  in,  dem  yuther  creeturs  would,  en  fill  up  a  bag  er 
peas  fer  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  fer  ter  kyar  home  wid  'im. 
"  One  time,  des  'bout  Christmas,  Miss  Meadows  en  Miss 
Motts  en  de  gals,  dey  up'n'  say  dat  dey'd  sorter  gin  a 
blow-out,  en  dey  got  wud  ter  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram 
w'ieh  dey  'speckted  'im  fer  ter  be  on  han'.  Wen  de  time 
done  come  fer  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  fer  ter  start,  de  win' 
blow  cole  en  de  cloud  'gun  ter  spread  out  'cross  de  ele- 
ments —  but  no  marter  fer  dat ;  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram 
tuck  down  he  walkin'-cane,  he  did,  en  tie  up  he  fiddle  in 
a  bag,  en  sot  out  fer  Miss  Meadows.  He  thunk  he  know 
de  way,  but  hit  keep  on  gittin'  col'er  en  col'er,  en  mo' 
cloudy,  twel  bimeby,  fus'  news  you  know,  ole  Mr.  Ben- 
jermun Ram  done  lose  de  way.  Ef  he'd  er  kep'  on  down 
de  big  road  fum  de  start, 'it  moughter  bin  diffunt,  but  he 
tuck  a  nigh-cut,  en  he  aint  git  fur  'fo'  he  done  los'  sho'  'miff. 
He  go  dis  away,  en  he  go  dat  away,  en  he  go  de  yuther 
way,  yit  all  de  same  he  wuz  done  los'.  Some  folks  would 
er  sot  right  flat  down  whar  dey  wuz  en  study  out  de  way, 
but  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram  aint  got  wrinkle  on  he  hawn 
fer  nothin',  kaze  he  done  got  de  name  er  ole  Billy  Hard- 
head long  'fo'  dat.  Den  a'g'in,  some  folks  would  er  stop 
right  still  in  der  tracks  en  holler  en  bawl  fer  ter  see  ef  dey 
can't  roust  up  some  er  de  neighbors,  but  ole  Mr.  Benjer- 
mun Ram,  he  des  stick  he  jowl  in  de  win',  he  did,  en  he 
march  right  on  des  'zackly  like  he  know  he  aint  gwine  de 
wrong  way.  He  keep  on,  but  'twa'nt  long  'fo'  he  'gun  ter 

1  That  is,  from  the  foundation,  or  beginning. 


46  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

feel  right  lonesome,  mo'  speshually  w'en  hit  come  up  in  he 
min'  how  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals  en  all  de  comp'ny  be 
bleedz  ter  do  de  bes'  dey  kin  bidout  any  fiddlin' ;  en  hit 
kinder  make  he  marrer  git  cole  w'en  he  study  'bout  how  he 
gotter  sleep  out  dar  in  de  woods  by  hisse'f. 

"  Yit,  all  de  same,  he  keep  on  twel  de  dark  'gun  ter 
drap  down,  en  den  he  keep  on  still,  en  bimeby  he  come 
ter  a  little  rise  whar  dey  wuz  a  clay-gall.  Wen  he  git 
dar  he  stop  en  look  'roun',  he  did,  en  'way  off  down  in  de 
holler,  dar  he  see  a  light  shinin',  en  w'en  he  see  dis,  ole 
man  Benjermun  Ram  tuck  he  foot  in  he  han',  en  make  he 
way  todes  it  des  lak  it  de  ve'y  place  w'at  he  bin  huntin'. 
'Twa'n't  long  To'  he  come  ter  de  house  whar  de  light  is, 
en,  bless  you  soul,  he  don't  make  no  bones  er  knockin'. 
Den  somebody  holler  out : 

"'Whodat?' 

' '  I'm  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  en  I  done  lose  de  way,  en 
I  come  fer  ter  ax  you  ef  you  can't  take  me  in  fer  de  night,' 
sezee. 

"In  common,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "ole  Mr.  Ben- 
jermun Ram  wuz  a  mighty  rough-en-spoken  somebody, 
but  you  better  b'leeve  he  talk  monst'us  perlite  dis  time. 

"  Den  some  un  on  t'er  side  er  de  do'  ax  Mr.  Benjermun 
Ram  fer  ter  walk  right  in,  en  wid  dat  he  open  de  do'  en 
walk  in,  en  make  a  bow  like  fiddlin'  folks  does  w'en  dey 
goes  in  comp'ny ;  but  he  aint  no  sooner  make  he  bow  en 
look  'roun'  twel  he  'gun  ter  shake  en  shiver  lak  he  done 
bin  strucken  wid  de  swamp-ager,  kaze,  settin  right  dar  'fo' 
de  fier  wuz  ole  Brer  Wolf,  wid  his  toofies  showin'  up  all 


MR.    BENJAMIN    KAM.  47 

w'ite  en  shiny  like  dey  wuz  bran  new.  Ef  ole  Mr.  Ben- 
jermun  Ram  aint  bin  so  ole  en  stiff  I  boun'  you  he'd  er 
broke  en  run,  but  'mos'  'fo'  he  had  time  fer  ter  study  'bout 
gittin'  'way,  ole  Brer  Wolf  done  bin  jump  up  en  shet  de 
do'  en  fassen  'er  wid  a  great  big  chain.  Ole  Mr.  Benjer- 
mun  Rani  he  know  he  in  fer't,  en  he  tuck'n  put  on  a  boP 
face  ez  he  kin,  but  he  des  nat'ally  hone  l  fer  ter  be  los'  in 
de  woods  some  mo'.  Den  he  make  n'er  low  bow,  en  ke 
hope  Brer  Wolf  and  all  his  folks  is  well,  en  den  he  say, 
sezee,  dat  he  des  drap  in  fer  ter  worn  hisse'f,  en  'quire  uv 
de  way  ter  Miss  Meadows',  en  ef  Brer  Wolf  be  so  good 
ez  ter  set  'im  in  de  road  ag'in,  he  be  off  putty  soon  en  be 
much  'blige  in  de  bargains. 

' '  Tooby  sho',  Mr.  Ram,'  sez  Brer  Wolf,  sezee,  w'iles 
he  lick  he  chops  en  grin ;  '  des  put  yo'  walkin'-cane  in  de 
cornder  over  dar,  en  set  yo'  bag  down  on  de  flo',  en  make 
yo'se'f  at  home,'  sezee.  '  We  aint  got  much,'  sezee,  f  but 
w'at  we  is  got  is  yone  w'iles  you  stays,  en  I  boun'  we'll 
take  good  keer  un  you,'  sezee ;  en  wid  dat  Brer  Wolf 
laugh  en  show  his  toofies  so  bad  dat  ole  man  Benjermun 
Ram  come  mighty  nigh  havin'  n'er  ager. 

"  Den  Brer  Wolf  tuck'n  flung  'n'er  lighter'd-knot  on 
de  fier,  en  den  he  slip  inter  de  back  room,  en  present'y, 
w'iles  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  wuz  settin'  dar  shakin'  in 
he  shoes,  he  year  Brer  Wolf  whispun'  ter  he  ole  'oman  : 

r '  Ole  'oman  !  ole  'oman  !     Fling  'way  yo'  smoke  meat 

1  To  pine  or  long  for  anything.    This  is  a  good  old  English  word,  which  has 
been  retained  in  the  plantation  vocabulary. 


48  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

—  fresh  meat  fer  supper  !     Fling  'way  yo'  smoke  meat  — 
fresh  meat  fer  supper  ! ' 

"  Den  ole  Miss  Wolf,  she  talk  out  loud,  so  Mr.  Ben- 
jermun  Ram  kin  year  : 

: '  Tooby  sho'  I'll  fix  'im  some  supper.  We  er  'way  off 
yer  in  de  woods,  so  fur  fum  comp'ny  dat  goodness  knows 
I'm  mighty  glad  ter  see  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram.' 

"  Den  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  year  ole  Miss  Wolf  whet- 
tin'  'er  knife  on  a  rock  —  shirr dh  I  shirrah!  shirrah!  — 
en  ev'y  time  he  year  de  knife  say  shirrah  I  he  know  he 
dat  much  nigher  de  dinner-pot.  He  know  he  can't  git 
'way,  en  w'iles  he  settin'  dar  study  in',  hit  'come  'cross  he 
min'  dat  he  des  mought  ez  well  play  one  mo'  chune  on  he 
fiddle  To'  de  wuss  come  ter  de  wuss.  Wid  dat  he  ontie 
de  bag  en  take  out  de  fiddle,  en  'gun  ter  chune  'er  up  — 
plink,  plank,  plunk,  plinkl  plunk,  plank,  plink, 
plunk!" 

Uncle  Remus's  imitation  of  the  tuning  of  a  fiddle  was 
marvellous  enough  to  produce  a  startling  effect  upon  a 
much  less  enthusiastic  listener  than  the  little  boy.  It  was 
given  in  perfect  good  faith,  but  the  serious  expression  on 
the  old  man's  face  was  so  irresistibly  comic  that  the  child 
laughed  until  the  tears  ran  down  his  face.  Uncle  Remus 
very  properly  accepted  this  as  a  tribute  to  his  wonderful 
resources  as  a  story-teller,  and  continued,  in  great  good- 
humor  : 

"  W'en  ole  Miss  Wolf  year  dat  kinder  fuss,  co'se  she 
dunner  w'at  is  it,  en  she  drap  'er  knife  en  lissen.  Ole 
Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  aint  know  dis,  en  he  keep  on  chunin' 


MR.    BENJAMIN    RAM.  49 

up — plank,  pilule,  plunk,  plank  f  Den  ole  Miss 
Wolf,  she  tuck'n'  hunch  Brer  Wolf  wid  'er  elbow,  en  she 
say,  sez  she : 

"  '  Hey,  ole  man  !  w'at  dat? ' 

"  Den  bofe  un  um  cock  up  der  years  en  lissen,  en  des 
'bout  dat  time,  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  he  sling  de  butt 
er  de  fiddle  up  und'  he  chin,  en  struck  up  one  er  dem  ole- 
time  chunes." 

"  Well,  what  tune  was  it,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  the  little  boy 
asked,  with  some  display  of  impatience. 

"  Ef  I  aint  done  gone  en  fergit  dat  chune  ofFn  my  min'," 
continued  Uncle  Remus  ;  "hit  sorter  went  like  dat  ar  song 
'bout  ?  Sheep  shell  co'n  wid  de  rattle  er  his  ho'n,'  en  yit  hit 
mout  er  been  dat  ar  yuther  one  'bout  'Roll de  key,  ladies, 
roll  dem  keys.'  Brer  Wolf  en  ole  Miss  Wolf,  dey  lissen 
en  lissen,  en  de  mo*  w'at  dey  lissen  de  skeerder  dey  git, 
twel  bimeby  dey  tuck  ter  der  heels  en  make  a  break  fer  de 
swamp  at  de  back  er  de  house  des  lak  de  patter-rollers 
wuz  atter  um. 

"  W'en  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram  sorter  let  up  wid  he 
fiddlin',  he  don't  see  no  Brer  Wolf,  en  he  don't  year  no  ole 
Miss  Wolf.  Den  he  look  in  de  back  room  ;  no  Wolf  dar. 
Den  he  look  in  de  back  po'ch ;  no  Wolf  dar.  Den  he  look 
in  de  closet  en  de  cubberd ;  no  Wolf  aint  dar  yit.  Den 
ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  he  tuck'n' shot  all  de  do's  en  lock 
um,  en  he  s'arch  'roun'  en  he  fine  some  peas  en  fodder  in 
de  lof,  w'ich  he  et  um  fer  he  supper,  en  den  he  lie  down 
front  er  de  fier  en  sleep  soun'  ez  a  log. 

"Nex'  mawnin'  he  'uz  up  en  stirrin'  monst'us  soon,  en 


50  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

he  put  out  fum  dar,  en  he  fine  de  way  ter  Miss  Meadows' 
time  'miff  fer  ter  play  at  de  frolic.  Wen  he  git  dar,  Miss 
Meadows  en  de  gals,  dey  run  ter  de  gate  fer  ter  meet  'im, 
en  dis  un  tuck  he  hat,  en  dat  un  tuck  he  cane,  en  t'er'n 
tuck  he  fiddle,  en  den  dey  up'n'  say : 

' '  Law,  Mr.  Ram  !  whar  de  name  er  goodness  is  you 
bin?  We  so  glad  you  come.  Stir  'roun'yer,  folks,  en  git 
Mr.  Earn  a  cup  er  hot  coffee.' 

"  Dey  make  a  mighty  big  ter-do  'bout  Mr.  Benjermun 
Ram,  Miss  Meadows  en  Miss  Motts  en  de  gals  did,  but 
'twix'  you  en  me  en  de  bedpos',  honey,  dey'd  er  had  der 
frolic  wh'er  de  ole  chap  'uz  dar  er  not,  kaze  de  gals  done 
make  'rangerments  wid  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  pat  fer  um,  en 
in  dem  days  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  a  patter,  mon.  He  mos' 
sho'ly  wuz." 

x. 

BROTHER  RABBIT'S   RIDDLE. 

"  COULD  Brother  Rabbit  pat  a  tune,  sure  enough,  Uncle 
Remus?"  asked  the  little  boy,  his  thoughts  apparently 
dwelling  upon  the  new  accomplishment  of  Brother  Rabbit 
at  which  the  old  man  had  hinted  in  his  story  of  Mr.  Benja- 
min Ram.  Uncle  Remus  pretended  to  be  greatly  sur- 
prised that  any  one  could  be  so  unfamiliar  with  the  accom- 
plishments of  Brother  Rabbit  as  to  venture  to  ask  such  a 
question.  His  response  was  in  the  nature  of  a  comment : 

"  Name  er  goodness  !  w'at  kinder  pass  dish  yer  we  corn- 
in'  ter  w'en  a  great  big  grow'd  up  young  un  axin'  'bout 


BROTHER    RABBIT'S    RIDDLE.  51 

Brer  Rabbit?  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey  !  dey  wa'n't  no  chune 
gwine  clat  Brer  Rabbit  can't  pat.  Let  'lone  dat,  w'en  dey 
wuz  some  un  else  fer  ter  do  de  pattin',  Brer  Rabbit  kin 
jump  out  inter  de  middle  er  de  flo'  en  des  nat'ally  shake  de 
eyel'ds  off'en  dem  yuther  creeturs.  En  'twa'nt  none  er  dish 
yer  bowin'  en  scrapin',  en  slippin'  en  slidin',  en  han's  all 
'roun',  w'at  folks  does  deze  days.  Hit  uz  dish  yer  up  en 
down  kinder  dancin',  whar  dey  des  lips  up  in  de  a'r  fer  ter 
cut  de  pidjin-wing,  en  lights  on  de  flo'  right  in  de  middle 
er  de  double-shuffle.  Shoo  I  Dey  aint  no  dancin'  deze 
days ;  folks'  shoes  too  tight,  en  dey  aint  got  dat  limber- 
someness  in  de  hips  w'at  dey  useter  is.  Dat  dey  aint. 

"  En  yit,"  Uncle  Remus  continued,  in  a  tone  which 
seemed  to  imply  that  he  deemed  it  necessary  to  apologize 
for  the  apparent  frivolity  of  Brother  Rabbit,  —  "en  yit  de 
time  come  w'en  old  Brer  Rabbit  'gun  ter  put  dis  en  dat 
tergedder,  en  de  notion  strak  'im  dat  he  better  be  home 
lookin'  atter  de  intruss  er  he  fambly,  'stidder  trapesin'  en 
trollopin'  'roun'  ter  all  de  frolics  in  de  settlement.  He 
tuck'n'  study  dis  in  he  min'  twel  bimeby  he  sot  out  'ter- 
min'  fer  ter  'arn  he  own  livelihoods,  en  den  he  upV  lay  off 
a  piece  er  groun'  en  plant  'im  a  tater-patch. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  see  all  dish  yer  gwine  on,  he  did,  en  he 
'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  'speck  Brer  Rabbit  rashfulness  done 
bin  supjued  kaze  he  skeer'd,  en  den  Brer  Fox  make 
up  his  min'  dat  he  gwine  ter  pay  Brer  Rabbit  back  fer  all 
he  'seetfulness.  He  start  in,  Brer  Fox  did,  en  fum  dat 
time  forrerd  he  aggervate  Brer  Rabbit  'bout  he  tater-patch. 
One  night  he  leave  de  draw-bars  down,  'n'er  night  he 


52  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

fling  off  de  top  rails,  en  nex'  night  he  t'ar  down  a  whole 
panel  er  fence,  en  he  keep  on  dis  away  twel  'pariently 
Brer  Kabbit  dunner  w'at  ter  do.  All  dis  time  Brer  Fox 
keep  on  foolin'  wid  de  tater-patch,  en  w'en  he  see  w'ich 
Brer  Rabbit  aint  makin'  no  motion,  Brer  Fox  'low  dat  he 
done  skeer'd  sho'  'nuff,  en  dat  de  time  done  come  fer  ter 
gobble  him  up  bidout  lief  er  license.  So  he  call  on  Brer 
Rabbit,  Brer  Fox  did,  en  he  ax  'im  will  he  take  a  walk. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  ax  wharbouts.  Brer  Fox  say,  right 
out  yander.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  ax  w'at  is  dey  right  out 
yander?  Brer  Fox  say  he  know  whar  dey  some  mighty 
fine  peaches,  en  he  want  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  go  'long  en 
climb  de  tree  en  fling  um  down.  Brer  Rabbit  say  he 
don't  keer  ef  he  do,  mo'  speshually  fer  ter  'blige  Brer  Fox. 

"Dey  sot  out,  dey  did,  en  atter  w'ile,  sho'  'nuiF,  dey 
come  ter  de  peach-orchud,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  w'at  do  he  do 
but  pick  out  a  good  tree,  en  up  he  clum.  Brer  Fox,  he 
sot  hisse'f  at  de  root  er  de  tree,  kaze  he  'low  dat  w'en 
Brer  Rabbit  come  down  he  hatter  come  down  backerds, 
en  den  dat  'ud  be  de  time  fer  ter  nab  'im.  But,  bless  yo' 
soul,  Brer  Rabbit  dun  see  w'at  Brer  Fox  atter  'fo'  he  clum 
up.  Wen  he  pull  de  peaches,  Brer  Fox  say,  sezee  : 

' f  Fling  um  down  yer,  Brer  Rabbit  —  fling  um  right 
down  yer  so  I  kin  ketch  um,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  wunk  de  furdest  eye  fum  Brer 
Fox,  en  he  holler  back,  he  did : 

"Ef  I  fling  um  down  dar  whar  you  is,  Brer  Fox,  en 
you  misses  um,  dey'll  git  squshed,'  sezee,  'so  I'll  des 


BROTHER    RABBIT'S    RIDDLE.  53 

sorter  pitch  um  out  yander  in  de  grass  whar  dey  wont  git 
bus','  sezee. 

"Den  he  tuck'n'  flung  de  peaches  out  in  de  grass,  en 
w'iles  Brer  Fox  went  atter  um,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  skint 
down  outer  de  tree,  en  hustle  hisse'f  twel  he  git  elbow- 
room.  Wen  he  git  off  little  ways,  he  up'n'  holler  back 
ter  Brer  Fox  dat  he  got  a  riddle  he  want  'irn  ter  read. 
Brer  Fox,  he  ax  w'at  is  it.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
gun  it  out  ter  Brer  Fox  lak  a  man  sayin'  a  speech : 

"  *  Big  bird  rob  en  little  bird  sing, 
De  big  bee  zoon  en  little  bee  sting, 
De  little  man  lead  en  big  hoss  f oiler  — 
Kin  you  tell  w'at's  good  fer  a  head  in  a  holler  f ' 

"  Ole  Brer  Fox  scratch  he  head  en  study,  en  study  en 
scratch  he  head,  but  de  mo'  he  study  de  wuss  he  git  mix 
up  wid  de  riddle,  en  atter  w'ile  he  tuck'n'  tell  Brer  Rabbit 
dat  he  dunno  how  in  de  name  er  goodness  ter  onriddle  dat 
riddle. 

"  Come  en  go  'longer  me,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee, 
'en  I  boun'  you  I  show  you  how  ter  read  dat  same  riddle. 
Hit's  one  er  dem  ar  kinder  riddle,'  sez  ole  man  Rabbit, 
sezee,  '  w'ich  'fo'  you  read  'er,  you  got  ter  eat  a  bait  er 
honey,  en  I  done  got  my  eye  sot  on  de  place  whar  we  kin 
git  de  honey  at,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  ax  wharbouts  is  it,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
say  up  dar  in  ole  Brer  B!ar  cotton-patch,  whar  he  got  a 
whole  passel  er  bee-gums.  Brer  Fox,  he  'low,  he  did, 
dat  he  aint  got  no  sweet-toof  much,  yit  he  wan  ter  git  at 


54  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

de  innerds  er  dat  ar  riddle,  en  he  don't  keer  ef  he  do  go 
'long. 

"Dey  put  out,  dey  did,  en  'twa'n't  long  'fo'  dey  come 
ter  ole  Brer  B'ar  bee-gums,  en  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n' 
gun  urn  a  rap  wid  he  walkin'-cane,  des  lak  folks  thumps 
water-millions  fer  ter  see  ef  dey  er  ripe.  He  tap  en  he 
rap,  en  bimeby  he  come  ter  one  un  um'w'ich  she  soun' 
like  she  plum  full,  en  den  he  go  'roun'  behime  it,  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  did,  en  he  up'n'  say,  sezee  : 

"I'll  des  sorter  tilt  'er  up,  Brer  Fox,'  sezee,  ' en  you 
kin  put  yo'  head  und'  dar  en  git  some  er  de  drippin's,' 
sezee. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tilt  her  up,  en,  sho'  'nuff,  Brer  Fox, 
he  jam  he  head  un'need  de  gum.  Hit  make  me  laugh," 
Uncle  Remus  continued,  with  a  chuckle,  "fer  ter  see  w'at 
a  fresh  man  is  Brer  Fox,  kaze  he  aint  no  sooner  stuck  he 
head  un'need  dat  ar  bee-gum,  dan  Brer  Rabbit  turnt  'er 
aloose,  en  down  she  come  —  Icer-swosh!  —  right  on  Brer 
Fox  neck,  en  dar  he  wuz.  Brer  Fox,  he  kick ;  he 
squeal ;  he  jump ;  he  squall ;  he  dance ;  he  prance ;  he 
beg;  he  pray;  yit  dar  he  wuz,  en  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  git 
Vay  off,  en  tu'n  'roun'  fer  ter  look  back,  he  see  Brer  Fox 
des  a-wigglin'  en  a-squ'min',  en  right  den  en  dar  Brer 
Rabbit  gun  one  ole-time  whoop,  en  des  put  out  fer  home. 

"  Wen  he  git  dar,  de  fus'  man  he  see  wuz  Brer  Fox 
gran'daddy,  w'ich  folks  all  call  'im  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox. 
Wen  Brer  Rabbit  see  'im,  he  say,  sezee  : 

'  'How  you  come  on,  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox?' 

f '  I  still  keeps  po'ly,  I'm  'blije  ter  you,  Brer  Rabbit,' 


BROTHER    RABBIT'S    RIDDLE.  55 

sez  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox,  sezee.     f  Is  you  seed  any  sign  er 
my  gran'son  dis  mawnin'?'  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  laugh  en  say  w'ich  him  en  Brer 
Fox  bin  a-ramblin'  'roun'  wid  one  er  'n'er  havin'  mo'  fun 
dan  w'at  a  man  kin  shake  a  stick  at. 

'  We  bin  a-riggin'  up  riddles  en  a-readin'  un  urn,'  sez 
Brer  Rabbit,  sezee.  f  Brer  Fox  is  settin'  off  some'rs  in  de 
bushes  right  now,  aimin'.  fer  ter  read  one  w'at  I  gun  'im. 
I'll  des  drap  you  one,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  w'ich, 
ef  you  kin  read  it,  hit'll  take  you  right  spang  ter  whar  yo' 
gran'son  is,  en  you  can't  git  dar  none  too  soon,'  sez  Brer 
Rabbit,  sezee. 

"Den  ole  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox,  he  up'n'  ax  w'at  is  it,  en 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  sing  out,  he  did  : 

"  *  De  big  bird  rob  en  little  bird  sing; 
De  big  bee  zoon  en  little  bee  sting, 
De  little  man  lead  en  big  hoss  f oiler — 
Kin  you  tell  w'at's  good  fer  a  head  in  a  holler  ?  ' 

"  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox,  he  tuck  a  pinch  er  snuff  en  cough 
easy  ter  hisse'f,  en  study  en  study,  but  he  aint  make  it  out, 
en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  laugh  en  sing  : 

"  '  Bee-gum,  mighty  big  fer  ter  make  Fox  collar, 
Kin  you  tell  tv'at's  good  fer  a  head  in  a  holler  ?  ' 

"  Atter  so  long  a  time,  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox  sorter  ketch 
a  glimpse  er  w'at  Brer  Rabbit  tryin'  ter  gin  'im,  en  he  tip 
Brer  Rabbit  good-day,  en  shuffle  on  fer  ter  hunt  up  he 
gran'son." 


56  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  And  did  he  find  him,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"  Tooby  sho',  honey.  Brer  B'ar  year  de  racket  w'at 
Brer  Fox  kickin'  up,  en  he  go  down  dar  fer  ter  see  w'at 
de  marter  is.  Soon  ez  he  see  how  de  Ian'  lay,  co'se  he 
tuck  a  notion  dat  Brer  Fox  bin  robbin'  de  bee-gums,  en 
he  got  'im  a  han'ful  er  hick'ries,  Brer  B'ar  did,  en  he  let 
'in  on  Brer  Fox  en  he  worn  he  jacket  scannerlous,  en  den 
he  tuck'n'  tu'n  'im  loose;  but  'twa'n't  long  'fo'  all  de 
neighbors  git  wud  dat  Brer  Fox  bin  robbin'  Brer  B'ar 
bee-gums." 

XI. 

HOW  MR.  ROOSTER  LOST  HIS  DINNER. 

IT  seemed  that  the  rainy  season  had  set  in  in  earnest, 
but  the  little  boy  went  down  to  Uncle  Remus's  cabin  before 
dark.  In  some  mysterious  way,  it  appeared  to  the  child, 
the  gloom  of  twilight  fastened  itself  upon  the  dusky 
clouds,  and  the  great  trees  without,  and  the  dismal  per- 
spective beyond,  gradually  became  one  with  the  darkness. 
Uncle  Remus  had  thoughtfully  placed  a  tm  pan  under  a 
leak  in  the  roof,  and  the  drip-drip-drip  of  the  water,  as 
it  fell  in  the  resonant  vessel,  made  a  not  unmusical  accom- 
paniment to  the  storm. 

The  old  man  fumbled  around  under  his  bed,  and  presently 
dragged  forth  a  large  bag  filled  with  lightwood  knots, 
which,  with  an  instinctive  economy  in  this  particular  di- 
rection, he  had  stored  away  for  an  emergency.  A  bright 


HOW    MR.    BOOSTER    LOST    HIS    DINNER.  57 

but  flickering  flame  was  the  result  of  this  timely  discovery, 
and  the  effect  it  produced  was  quite  in  keeping  with  all 
the  surrounding.  The  rain,  and  wind,  and  darkness  held 
sway  without,  while  within,  the  unsteady  lightwood  blaze 
seemed  to  rhyme  with  the  drip-drip-drip  in  the  pan. 
Sometimes  the  shadow  of  Uncle  Remus,  as  he  leaned  over 
the  hearth,  would  tower  and  fill  the  cabin,  and  again  it 
would  fade  and  disappear  among  the  swaying  and  swinging 
cobwebs  that  curtained  the  rafters. 

w  Wen  bed-time  come,  honey,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  in  a 
soothing  tone,  "  I'll  des  snatch  down  yo'  pa  buggy  umbrelP 
fum  up  dar  in  de  cornder,  des  lak  I  bin  a-doin',  en  I'll 
take'n'  take  you  und'  my  arm  en  set  you  down  on  Miss 
Sally  h'a'th  des  ez  dry  en  ez  worn  ez  a  rat'-nes'  inside  a 
fodder-stack." 

At  this  juncture  'Tildy,  the  house-girl,  rushed  in  out 
of  the  rain  and  darkness  with  a  water-proof  cloak  and  an 
umbrella,  and  announced  her  mission  to  the  little  boy 
without  taking  time  to  catch  her  breath. 

"  Miss  Sally  say  you  got  ter  come  right  back,"  she  ex- 
claimed. "  Kaze  she  skeerd  lightnin'  gwine  strak  'roun' 
in  yer  'mongs'  deze  high  trees  some'rs." 

Uncle  Remus  rose  from  his  stooping  posture  in  front 
of  the  hearth  and  assumed  a  threatening  attitude. 

"  Well,  is  anybody  year  de  beat  er  dat !  "  was  his  indig- 
nant exclamation.  "  Look  yer,  gal !  don't  you  come 
foolin'  'longer  me  —  now,  don't  you  do  it.  Kaze  ef  yer 
does,  I'll  take'n'  hit  you  a  clip  w'at'll  put  you  ter  bed 
'fo'  bed-time  comes.  Dat's  w'at  I" 


58  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

"  Lawdy !  w'at  I  done  gone  en  done  ter  Unk'  Remus 
now  ?  "  asked  'Tildy,  with  a  great  affectation  of  innocent 
ignorance. 

"I'm  gwine  ter  put  on  my  coat  en  take  dat  ar  uinbrell', 
en  I'm  gwine  right  straight  up  ter  de  big  house  en  ax  Miss 
Sally  ef  she  sont  dat  kinder  wud  down  yer,  w'en  she  know 
dat  chile  sittin'  yer  'longer  me.  I'm  gwine  ter  ax  her," 
continued  Uncle  Remus,  "  en  if  she  aint  sont  dat  wud,  den 
I'm  gwine  ter  fetch  myse'f  back.  Now,  you  des  watch 
my  motions." 

"  Well,  I  year  Miss  Sally  say  she  'feard  lightn in' gwine  ter 
strak  some'rs  on  de  place,"  said  'Tildy,  in  a  tone  which 
manifested  her  willingness  to  compromise  all  differences, 
"  en  den  I  axt  'er  kin  I  come  down  yer,  en  den  she  say  I 
better  bring  deze  yer  cloak  en  pairsol." 

"  Now  you  dun  brung  um,"  responded  Uncle  Remus, 
"  you  des  better  put  um  in  dat  cheer  over  dar,  en  take 
yo'se'f  off.  Thunder  mighty  ap'  ter  hit  close  ter  whar 
deze  here  slick-head  niggers  is." 

But  the  little  boy  finally  prevailed  upon  the  old  man  to 
allow  'Tildy  to  remain,  and  after  a  while  he  put  matters  on 
a  peace  footing  by  inquiring  if  roosters  crowed  at  night 
when  it  was  raining. 

"Dat  dey  duz,"  responded  Uncle  Remus.  "Wet  er 
dry,  dey  flops  der  wings  en  wakes  up  all  de  neighbors. 
Law,  bless  my  soul !  "  he  exclaimed,  suddenly,  "  w'at  make 
I  done  gone  en  fergit  'bout  Mr.  Rooster  ?  " 

"  What  about  him  ?  "  inquired  the  little  boy. 

"One  time,  'way  back  yander,"   said   Uncle   Remus, 


HOW    MR.    ROOSTER    LOST    HIS    DINNER.  59 

knocking  the  ashes  off  his  hands  and  knees,  "  dey  wuz  two 
plan'ations  right  Alongside  one  er  ne'r,  en  on  bofe  er  deze 
plan'ations  wuz  a  whole  passel  of  fowls.  Dey  was  mighty 
sociable  in  dem  days,  en  it  tu'n  out  dat  de  fowls  on  one 
plan'ation  gun  a  party,  w'ich  dey  sont  out  der  invites  ter 
de  fowls  on  de  't'er  plan'ation. 

"  Wen  de  day  come,  Mr.  Rooster,  he  blow  his  hawn, 
he  did,  en  'semble  um  all  tergedder,  en  atter  dey  'semble 
dey  got  in  line.  Mr.  Rooster,  he  tuck  de  head,  en  atter 
'im  come  ole  lady  Hen  en  Miss  Pullet,  en  den  dar  wuz 
Mr.  Peafowl,  en  Mr.  Tukkey  Gobbler,  en  Miss  Guinny 
Hen,  en  Miss  Puddle  Duck,  en  all  de  balance  un  um. 
Dey  start  off  sorter  raggedy,  but  'twa'nt  long  'fo'  dey  all 
kotch  de  step,  en  den  dey  march  down  by  de  spring,  up 
thoo  de  hoss-lot  en  'cross  by  de  gin-house,  en 'twa'n't  long 
'fo'  dey  git  ter  whar  de  frolic  wuz. 

"  Dey  dance,  en  dey  play,  en  dey  sing.  Mo'  'speshually 
did  dey  play  en  sing  dat  ar  song  w'ich  it  run  on  lak  dis  : 

"  '  Come  under i  come  under. 

My  honey,  my  love,  my  own  true  love  ; 
My  heart  bin  a-weepin' 
Way  down  in  Galilee.' 

"  Dey  wuz  gwine  on  dis  away,  havin'  der  'musements, 
w'en,  bimeby,  ole  Mr.  Peafowl,  he  got  on  de  comb  er  de 
barn  en  blow  de  dinner-hawn.  Dey  all  wash  der  face  en 
han's  in  de  back-po'ch,  en  den  dey  went  in  ter  dinner. 
Wen  dey  git  in  dar,  dey  don't  see  nothin'  on  de  table  but 
a  great  big  pile  er  co'n-bread.  De  pones  was  pile  up  on 


60  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

pones,  en  on  de  top  wuz  a  great  big  ash-cake.  Mr. 
Rooster,  he  look  at  dis  en  he  tu'n  up  he  nose,  en  bimeby, 
atter  aw'ile,  out  he  strut.  Ole  Miss  Guinny  Hen,  she 
watchin'  Mr.  Booster  motions,  en  w'en  she  see  dis,  she 
take'n'  squall  out,  she  did  : 

" '  Pot-rack  I  Pot-rack  I  Mr.  Rooster  gone  back  !  Pot- 
rack  !  Pot-rack  !  Mr.  Rooster  gone  back  ! ' 

"  Wid  dat  dey  all  make  a  great  ter-do.  Miss  Hen  en 
Miss  Pullet,  dey  cackle  en  squall,  Mr.  Gobbler,  he  gob- 
ble, en  Miss  Puddle  Duck,  she  shake  'er  tail  en  say, 
quiclcity-quaclc-quaclc.  But  Mr.  Rooster,  he  ruffle  up  he 
cape,  en  march  on  out. 

"Dis  sorter  put  a  damper  on  de  yuthers,  but  'fo'  Mr. 
Rooster  git  outer  sight  en  year'n  dey  went  ter  wuk  on  de 
pile  w'at  wuz  'pariently  co'n-bread,  en,  lo  en  beholes, 
un'need  dem  pone  er  bread  wuz  a  whole  passel  er  meat 
en  greens,  en  bake'taters,  en  bile'  turnips.  Mr.  Rooster, 
he  year  de  ladies  makin'  great  'miration,  en  he  stop  en 
look  thoo  de  crack,  en  dar  he  see  all  de  doin's  en  fixin's. 
He  feel  mighty  bad,  Mr.  Rooster  did,  w'en  he  see  all  dis, 
en  de  yuther  fowls  dey  holler  en  ax  'im  fer  ter  come  back, 
en  he  craw,  w'ich  it  mighty  empty,  likewise,  it  up'n'  ax 
'im,  but  he  mighty  biggity  en  stuck  up,  en  he  strut  off, 
crowin'  ez  he  go  ;  but  he  'speunce  er  dat  time  done  las' 
him  en  all  er  his  fambly  down  ter  dis  day^.  En  you 
neenter  take  my  wud  fer't,  ne'r,  kaze  ef  you'll  des  keep 
yo'  eye  open  en  watch,  you'll  ketch  a  glimse  er  ole 
Mr.  Rooster  folks  scratchin'  whar  dey  specks  ter  fine 
der  rations,  en  mo'  dan  dat,  dey '11  scratch  wid  der 


BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY.    61 

rations  in  plain  sight.  Since  dat  time,  dey  aint  none  er 
de  Mr.  Roosters  bin  fooP  by  dat  w'at  dey  see  on  top. 
Dey  aint  res'  twel  dey  see  w'at  und'  dar.  Deyll  scratch 
spite  er  all  creation." 

"Dat's  de  Lord's  truth!"  said  Tildy,  with  unction. 
"I  done  seed  urn  wid  my  own  eyes.  Dat  I  is." 

This  was  'Tildy's  method  of  renewing  peaceful  relations 
with  Uncle  Remus,  but  the  old  man  was  disposed  to  resist 
the  attempt. 

"  You  better  be  up  yander  washin'  up  dishes,  stidder 
hoppin'  down  yer  wid  er  whole  packet  er  stuff  w'at  Miss 
Sally  aint  dreamp  er  sayin'." 


XII. 

BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY. 

As  long  as  Uncle  Remus  allowed  'Tildy  to  remain  in 
the  cabin,  the  little  boy  was  not  particularly  interested  in 
preventing  the  perfunctory  abuse  which  the  old  man  might 
feel  disposed  to  bestow  upon  the  complacent  girl.  The 
truth  is,  the  child's  mind  was  occupied  with  the  episode  in 
the  story  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Ram  which  treats  of  the  style 
in  which  this  romantic  old  wag  put  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolf  to 
flight  by  playing  a  tune  upon  his  fiddle.  The  little  boy 
was  particularly  struck  with  this  remarkable  feat,  as  many 
a  youngster  before  him  had  been,  and  he  made  bold  to  re- 
cur to  it  again  by  asking  Uncle  Remus  for  all  the  details. 


62  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

It  was  plain  to  the  latter  that  the  child  regarded  Mr.  Ram 
as  the  typical  hero  of  all  the  animals,  and  this  was  by  no 
means  gratifying  to  the  old  man.  He  answered  the  little 
boy's  questions  as  well  as  he  could,  and,  when  nothing  more 
remained  to  be  said  about  Mr.  Ram,  he  settled  himself 
back  in  his  chair  and  resumed  the  curious  history  of 
Brother  Rabbit  : 

"  Co'se  Mr.  Ram  mighty  smart  man.  I  aint  'spute  dat ; 
but  needer  Mr.  Ram  ner  yet  Mr.  Lam  is  soon  creeturs 
lak  Brer  Rabbit.  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  he  tuck'n'  skeer 
off  Brer  "Wolf  en  his  ole  'oman  wid  his  fiddle,  but,  bless 
yo'  soul,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  he  gone  en  done  wuss'n  dat." 

"What  did  Brother  Rabbit  do?"  asked  the  little  boy. 

"One  time,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n' 
ax  some  er  de  yuther  creeturs  ter  he  house.  He  ax  Brer 
B'ar,  en  Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer  'Coon,  but  he  aint  ax  Brer 
Rabbit.  All  de  same,  Brer  Rabbit  got  win'  un  it,  en  he 
'low  dat  ef  he  don't  go,  he  speck  he  have  much  fun  ez  de 
nex'  man. 

"De  creeturs  w'at  git  de  invite,  dey  tuck'n'  'semble  at 
Brer  Fox  house,  en  Brer  Fox,  he  ax  um  in  en  got  urn 
cheers,  en  dey  sot  dar  en  laugh  en  talk,  twel,  bimeby, 
Brer  Fox,  he  fotch  out  a  bottle  er  dram  en  lay  'er  out  on 
de  side-bode,  en  den  he  sorter  step  back  en  say,  sezee  : 

"Des  step  up,  gentermens,  en  he'p  yo'se'f,'  en  you 
better  b'lieve  dey  he'p  derse'f. 

"Wiles  dey  wuz  drinkin'  en  drammin'  en  gwine  on, 
w'at  you  speck  Brer  Rabbit  doin'  ?  You  des  well  make  up 
yo'  min'  dat  Brer  Rabbk  monst'us  busy,  kase  he  'uz  sailin' 


BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY.    63 

'roun'  fixin' up  his  tricks.  Longtime  'fo'dat,  Brer  Rabbit 
had  bin  at  a  bobbycue  whar  dey  wuz  a  muster,  en  w'iles 
all  de  folks  'uz  down  at  de  spring  eatin'  dinner,  Brer 
Rabbit  he  crope  up  en  run  off  wid  one  er  de  drums.  Dey 
wuz  a  big  drum  en  a  little  drum,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he 
snatch  up  de  littles'  one  en  run  home. 

"Now,  den,  w'en  he  year  'bout  de  yuther  creeturs  gwine 
ter  Brer  Fox  house,  w'at  do  Brer  Rabbit  do  but  git  out 
dis  rattlin'  drum  en  make  de  way  down  de  road  todes  whar 
dey  is.  He  tuck  dat  drum,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
with  great  elation  of  voice  and  manner,  "  en  he  went  down 
de  road  todes  Brer  Fox  house,  en  he  make  'er  talk  like 
thunner  mix  up  wid  hail.  Hit  talk  lak  dis  : 

r  *  Diddybum,  diddybum,  diddybum-bum-bum  — 
diddybum  I ' 

"  De  creeturs,  dey  'uz  a-drinkin',  en  a-drammin',  en  a- 
gwine  on  at  a  terrible  rate,  en  dey  aint  year  de  racket,  but 
all  de  same,  yer  come  Brer  Rabbit  : 

**  Diddybum,  diddybum ,  diddybum-bwn^bum — 
diddybum  I' 

"  Bimeby  Brer  'Coon,  w'ich  he  allers  got  one  year  hung 
out  fer  de  news,  he  up'n'  ax  Brer  Fox  w'at  dat,  en  by 
dat  time  all  de  creeturs  stop  en  lissen ;  but  all  de  same, 
yer  come  Brer  Rabbit : 

' '  Diddybum,  diddybum,  diddybum-bum-bum  — 
diddybum  ! ' 

"  De  creeturs  dey  keep  on  lis'nin',  en  Brer  Rabbit  keep 
on  gittin'  nigher,  twel  bimeby  Brer  'Coon  retch  und'  de 
cheer  fer  he  hat,  en  say,  sezee : 


64  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

'  Well,  gents,  I  speck  I  better  be  gwine.  I  tole  my 
ole  'oman  dat  I  wont  be  gone  a  minnit,  en  yer  'tis  'way 
'long  in  <le  day.' 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  'Coon,  he  skip  out,  but  he  aint  git  much 
furder  dan  de  back  gate,  'fo'  yer  come  all  de  yuther 
creeturs  like  dey  'uz  runnin'  a  foot-race,  en  ole  Brer  Fox 
wuz  wukkin'  in  de  lead." 

"  Dar,  now  ! "  exclaimed  Tildy,  with  great  fervor. 

"Yasser!  dar  dey  wuz,  en  dar  dey  went,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus.  "Dey  tuck  nigh  cuts,  en  dey  scramble 
over  one  er  n'er,  en  dey  aint  res'  twel  dey  git  in  de 
bushes. 

"  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  came  on  down  de  road  —  diddy- 
bum,  diddybum,  diddybum-bum-bum  —  en  bless  gra- 
cious !  w'en  he  git  ter  Brer  Fox  house  dey  aint  nobody  dar. 
Brer  Rabbit  is  dat  owdacious,  dat  he  hunt  all  'roun*  twel  he 
fine  de  a'r-hole  er  de  drum,  en  he  put  his  mouf  ter  dat  en 
sing  out,  sezee : 

f  e  Is  dey  anybody  home  ?  '  en  den  he  answer  hisse'f , 
sezee,  f  Law,  no,  honey  —  folks  all  gone.' 

"  Wid  dat,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  break  loose  en  laugh,  he 
did,  fit  ter  kill  hisse'f,  en  den  he  slam  Brer  Fox  front  gate 
wide  open,  en  march  up  ter  de  house.  W'en  he  git  dar, 
he  kick  de  do'  open  en  hail  Brer  Fox,  but  nobody  aint  dar, 
en  Brer  Rabbit  he  walk  in  en  take  a  cheer,  en  make  hisse'f 
at  home  wid  puttin'  his  foots  on  de  sofy  en  spittin'  on  de 
flo'. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  aint  sot  dar  long  'fo'  he  ketch  a  whiff  er  de 
dram  — " 


BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY.    65 

"  You  year  dat  ? "  exclaimed  'Tildy,  with  convulsive 
admiration. 

"  —  'Fo'  he  ketch  a  whiff  er  de  dram,  en  den  he  see  it  on 
de  side-bode,  en  he  step  up  en  drap  'bout  a  tumbcler  full 
some'rs  down  in  de  neighborhoods  er  de  goozle.  Brer 
Rabbit  mighty  lak  some  folks  I  knows.  He  tuck  one 
tumbeler  full,  en  'twa'n't  long  'fo'  he  tuck  'n'er'n,  en  w'en 
a  man  do  dis  away,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  somewhat 
apologetically,  "he  bleedz  ter  git  drammy." 

"  Truth,  too  !  "  said  'Tildy,  by  way  of  hearty  confirma- 
tion. 

"  All  des  time  de  yuther  creeturs  wuz  down  in  de  bushes 
lissenin'  fer  de  diddybum,  en  makin'  ready  fer  ter  light 
out  fum  dar  at  de  drop  uv  a  hat.  But  dey  aint  year  no 
mo'  fuss,  en  bimeby  Brer  Fox,  he  say  he  gvvine  back  en 
look  attcr  he  plunder,  en  de  yuther  creeturs  say  dey 
b'leeve  dey'll  go  'long  wid  'im.  Dey  start  out,  dey  did, 
en  dey  crope  todes  Brer  Fox  house,  but  dey  crope  mighty 
keerful,  en  I  boun'  ef  somebody 'd  'a'  shuck  a  bush,  dem  ar 
creeturs  'ud  a  nat'ally  to'  up  de  ye'th  gittin'  'way  fum 
dar.  Yit  dey  still  aint  year  no  fuss,  en  dey  keep  on 
creepin'  twel  dey  git  in  de  house. 

"  W'en  dey  git  in  dar,  de  fus'  sight  dey  see  wuz  ole 
Brer  Rabbit  stannin'  up  by  de  dram-bottle  mixin'  up  a 
toddy,  en  he  wa'n't  so  stiff-kneed  n'er,  kase  he  sorter  swage 
fum  side  ter  side,  en  he  look  lak  he  mighty  limbersome, 
w'ich,  goodness  knows,  a  man  bleedz  ter  be  limbersome 
w'en  he  drink  dat  kinder  licker  w'at  Brer  Fox  perwide  fer 
dem  creeturs. 


66  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Wen  Brer  Fox  see  Brer  Rabbit  makin'  free  wid  he 
doin's  dat  away,  w'at  you  speck  he  do  ?  "  inquired  Uncle 
Remus,  with  the  air  of  one  seeking  general  information. 

"  I  speck  he  cusst,"  said  'Tildy,  who  was  apt  to  take  a 
vividly  practical  view  of  matters. 

"  He  was  glad,"  said  the  little  boy,  "  because  he  had 
a  good  chance  to  catch  Brother  Rabbit." 

"  Tooby  sho'  he  wuz,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  heartily 
assenting  to  the  child's  interpretation  of  the  situation ; 
"tooby  sho'  he  wuz.  He  stan'  dar,  Brer  Fox  did,  en  he 
watch  Brer  Rabbit  motions.  Bimeby  he  holler  out,  sezee  : 
c '  Ah  yi ! l  Brer  Rabbit ! '  sezee.  '  Many  a  time  is  you 
made  yo'  'scape,  but  now  I  got  you  !  '  En  wid  dat,  Brer 
Fox  en  de  yuther  creeturs  cloze  in  on  Brer  Rabbit. 

"  Seem  like  I  done  tole  you  dat  Brer  Rabbit  done  gone 
en  tuck  mo'  dram  dan  w'at  'uz  good  fer  he  wholesome. 
Yit  he  head  aint  swim  so  bad  dat  he  dunner  w'at  he  doin', 
en  time  he  lay  eyes  on  Brer  Fox,  he  know  he  done  got  in 
close  quarters.  Soon  ez  he  see  dis,  Brer  Rabbit  make 
like  he  bin  down  in  de  cup  mo'  deeper  dan  w'at  he  is,  en  he 
stagger  'roun'  like  town  gal  stannin'  in  a  batteau,  en  he 
seem  lak  he  des  ez  limber  ez  a  wet  rag.  He  stagger  up 
ter  Brer  Fox,  he  did,  en  he  roll  he  eyeballs  'roun',  en  slap 
'im  on  he  back  en  ax  'im  how  he  ma.  Den  w'en  he  see 
de  yuther  creeturs,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "he  holler 
out,  he  did : 

*  Vents   yo'    uppance,    gentermens !  Vents    yo'    up- 

i  A  corruption  of  "  aye,  aye."    It  is  used  as  an  expression  of  triumph,  and  its 
enployment  in  this  connection  is  both  droll  and  picturesque. 


BROTHER    RABBIT    BREAKS    UP    A    PARTY.          67 

pance  ! l  Ef  you'll  des  gimme  han'-roomance  en  come  one 
at  a  time,  de  tussle'll  las'  longer.  How  you  all  come  on, 
nohow?'  sezee. 

w  Ole  Brer  Rabbit  talk  so  kuse  dat  de  yuther  creeturs 
have  mo'  fun  dan  w'at  youk'n  shake  a  stick  at,  but  bimeby 
Brer  Fox  say  dey  better  git  down  ter  business,  en  den  dey 
all  cloze  in  on  Brer  Rabbit,  en  dar  he  wuz. 

"  In  dem  days,  ole  man  B'ar  wuz  a  jedge  'mongs'  de 
creeturs,  en  dey  all  ax  'im  w'at  dey  gwine  do  'long  wid 
Brer  Rabbit,  en  Jedge  B'ar,  he  put  on  his  specks,  en  cle'r 
up  his  throat,  en  say  dat  de  bes'  way  ter  do  wid  a  man 
w'at  kick  up  sech  a  racket,  en  run  de  neighbors  outer  der 
own  house,  en  go  in  dar  en  level2  on  de  pantry,  is  ter  take 
'im  out  en  drown  'im ;  en  ole  Brer  Fox,  w'ich  he  settin'  on 
de  jury,  he  up'n'  smack  he  hands  togedder,  en  cry,  en  say, 
sezee,  dat  atter  dis  he  bleedz  ter  b'leeve  dat  Jedge  B'ar  done 
got  ail-under  holt  on  de  lawyer-books,  kaze  dat  'zackly 
w'at  dey  say  w'en  a  man  level  on  he  neighbor  pantry. 

"Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  out  he  skeerd,  en  he  holler 
en  cry,  en  beg  um,  in  de  nameer  goodness,  don't  fling  'im 
in  de  spring  branch,  kaze  dey  all  know  he  dunner  how  ter 
swim ;  but  ef  dey  bleedz  fer  ter  pitch  'im  in,  den  for 
mussy  sake  gin  'im  a  walkin'-cane,  so  he  kin  have  sumpin' 
ter  hoi'  ter  w'iles  he  drownin'. 


1  Southern  readers  will  recognize  this  and  "  han'-roomance  "  as  terms  used  hy 
negroes  in  playing  marbles,  —  a  favorite  game  on  the  plantations  Sunday  after- 
noons.   These  terms  were  curt  and  expressive  enough  to  gain  currency  among 
the  whites. 

2  Levy. 


68  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Ole  Brer  B'ar  scratch  his  head  en  say,  sezee,  clat,  fur 
ez  his  'membunce  go  back,  he  aint  come  'cross  nothin'  in 
de  lawyer-book  ter  de  contraries  er  dat,  en  den  dey  all  'gree 
dat  Brer  Rabbit  kin  have  a  walkin'-cane. 

"  Wid  dat,  dey  ketch  up  Brer  Rabbit  en  put  'im  in  a 
wheelborrow  en  kyar  'im  down  ter  de  branch,  en  fling  'im 
in." 

"Eh-eh  !  "  exclaimed  'Tildy,  with  well-feigned  astonish- 
ment. 

"  Dey  fling  'im  in,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "  en  Brer 
Rabbit  light  on  he  foots,  same  ez  a  tomcat,  en  pick  his  way 
out  by  de  helps  er  de  walkin'-cane.  De  water  wuz  dat 
shaller  dat  it  don't  mo'n  come  over  Brer  Rabbit  slipper,  en 
w'en  he  git  out  on  t'er  Bide,  he  holler  back,  sezee  : 

'" So  long,  Brer  Fox!'" 


XIII. 


BROTHER  FOX,  BROTHER  RABBIT,  AND  KING 
DEER'S  DAUGHTER. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  Brother  Rabbit's  success  with 'the 
drum,  the  little  boy  was  still  inclined  to  refer  to  Mr. 
Benjamin  Ram  and  his  fiddle ;  but  Uncle  Remus  was 
not,  by  any  means,  willing  that  such  an  ancient  vagabond 
as  Mr.  Ram  should  figure  as  a  hero,  and  he  said  that, 


BROTHER  FOX  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT.     69 

while  it  was  possible  that  Brother  Rabbit  was  no  great 
hand  with  the  fiddle,  he  was  a  drummer,  and  a  capital 
singer  to  boot.  Furthermore,  Uncle  Remus  declared  that 
Brother  Rabbit  could  perform  upon  the  quills,1  an  accom- 
plishment to  which  none  of  the  other  animals  could  lay 
claim.  There  was  a  time,  too,  the  old  man  pointedly  sug- 
gested, when  the  romantic  rascal  used  his  musical  abilities 
to  win  the  smiles  of  a  nice  young  lady  of  quality  —  no  less 
a  personage,  indeed,  than  King  Deer's  daughter.  As  a 
matter  of  course,  the  little  boy  was  anxious  to  hear  the 
particulars,  and  Uncle  Remus  was  in  nowise  loath  to  give 
them. 

"  Wen  you  come  ter  ax  me  'bout  de  year  en  day  er  de 
mont',"  said  the  old  man,  cunningly  arranging  a  defence 
against  criticism,  "  den  I'm  done,  kaze  de  almanick  w'at  dey 
got  in  dem  times  wont  pass  muster  deze  days,  but,  let 
'lone  dat,  I  speck  dey  aint  had  none  yit ;  en  ef  dey  is,  dey 
aint  none  bin  handed  down  ter  Remus. 

"Well,  den,  some  time  'long  in  dar,  ole  Brer  Fox  en 
Brer  Rabbit  got  ter  flyin'  'roun'  King  Deer  daughter. 
Dey  tells  me  she  'uz  a  monst'us  likely  gal,  en  I  speck 
may  be  she  wuz  ;  leas'ways,  Brer  Fox,  he  hanker  atter 'er, 
en  likewise  Brer  Rabbit,  he  hanker  atter  'er.  Ole  King 
Deer  look  lak  he  sorter  lean  todes  Brer  Fox,  kaze  ter 
a  settle  man  like  him,  hit  seem  lak  dat  Brer  Fox  kin 
stir  'roun'  en  keep  de  pot  a  b'ilin',  mo'  speshually  bein's 
he  de  bigges'.  Hit  go  on  dis  away  twel  hardly  a  day  pass 

1  The  veritable  Pan's  pipes.  A  simple  but  very  effective  musical  instrument 
made  of  reeds,  and  in  great  favor  on  the  plantations. 


70  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

dat  one  er  de  yuther  er  dem  creeturs  don't  go  sparklin' 
'roun'  King  Deer  daughter,  en  it  got  so  atter  w'ile  dat  all 
day  long  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Fox  keep  de  front  gate 
a  skreakin',  en  King  Deer  daughter  aint  ska'cely  had  time 
fer  ter  eat  a  meal  vittels  in  no  peace  er  min'. 

"  In  dem  days,"  pursued  Uncle  Remus,  in  a  tone  of 
unmistakable  historical  fervor,  "  w'en  a  creetur  go  a 
courtin'  dey  wa'n't  none  er  dish  yer  bokay  doin's  mix'  up 
'longer  der  co'tship,  en  dey  aint  cut  up  no  capers  like 
folks  does  now.  Stidder  scollopin'  'roun'  en  bo  win'  en 
scrapin',  dey  des  go  right  straight  atter  de  gal.  Ole  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  mouter  had  some  bubby-blossoms l  wrop  up  in 
his  hankcher,  but  mostly  him  en  Brer  Fox  'ud  des  drap  in 
on  King  Deer  daughter  en  'gin  ter  cas'  sheep-eyes  at  'er 
time  dey  sot  down  en  cross  der  legs." 

"En  I  bet,"  said  'Tildy,  by  way  of  comment,  and  look- 
ing as  though  she  wanted  to  blush,  "  dat  dey  wa'n't 
'shame',  nuther." 

"Dey  went  'long  dis  away,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
"twel  it  'gun  ter  look  sorter  skittish  wid  Brer  Rabbit, 
kaze  old  King  Deer  done  good  ez  say,  sezee,  dat  he 
gwine  ter  take  Brer  Fox  inter  de  fambly.  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  'low,  he  did,  dat  dis  aint  gwine  ter  do,  en  he  study  en 
study  how  he  gwine  ter  cut  Brer  Fox  out. 

"  Las',  one  day,  w'iles  he  gwine  thoo  King  Deer  pastur' 

lot,  he  up  wid  a  rock  en  kilt  two  er  King  Deer  goats. 

Wen  he  git  ter  de   house,  he  ax  King   Deer  daughter 

whar'bouts  her  pa,  en  she  up'n'  say  she  go  call  'inx,  en  w'en 

i  A  species  of  sweet-shrub  growing  wild  in  the  South. 


BROTHER  FOX  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT.     71 

Brer  Rabbit  see  'im,  he  ax  w'en  de  weddin' tuck  place,  en 
King  Deer  ax  w'ich  weddin',  en  Brer  Rabbit  say  de 
weddin'  'twix'  Brer  Fox  en  King  Deer  daughter.  Wid 
dat,  ole  King  Deer  ax  Brer  Rabbit  w'at  make  he  go  on  so, 
en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n'  'spon'  dat  he  see  Brer  Fox  makin' 
monst'us  free  wid  de  fambly,  gwine  'roun'  chunkin'  de 
chickens  en  killin'  up  de  goats. 

"  Ole  King  Deer  strak  he  walkin'-cane  down  'pon  de 
flo',  en  'low  dat  he  don't  put  no  'pennunce  in  no  sech  tale 
lak  dat,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit  tell  'im  dat  ef  he'll  des  take  a 
walk  down  in  de  pastur'  lot,  he  kin  see  de  kyarkiss  er  de 
goats.  Ole  King  Deer,  he  put  out,  en  bimeby  he  corne 
back,  en  he  'low  he  gwine  ter  settle  marters  wid  Brer  Fox 
ef  it  take  'im  a  mont'. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  a  good  frien'  ter  Brer  Fox,  en  he 
aint  got  no  room  ter  talk  'bout  'im,  but  yit  w'en  he  see  'im 
'stroyin'  King  Deer  goats  en  chunkin'  at  his  chickens,  en 
rattlin'  on  de  palin's  fer  ter  make  de  dog  bark,  he  bleedz 
ter  come  lay  de  case  'fo'  de  fambly. 

'  En  mo'n  dat,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  *  I'm  de 
man  w'at  kin  make  Brer  Fox  come  en  stan'  right  at  de 
front  gate  en  tell  you  dat  he  is  kill  dem  goat ;  en  ef  you 
des  wait  twel  ter-night,  I  wont  ax  you  ter  take  my  wud,' 
sezee. 

"  King  Deer  say  ef  Brer  Rabbit  man  'nuff  ter  do  dat, 
den  he  kin  git  de  gal  en  thanky,  too.  Wid  dat,  Brer 
Rabbit  jump  up  en  crack  he  heels  tergedder,  en  put  out 
fer  ter  fine  Brer  Fox.  He  aint  git  fur  'fo'  he  see  Brer 


72  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

Fox  corain'  down  de  road  all  primp  up.  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
sing  out,  he  did  : 

T  'Brer  Foxy,  whar  you  gwine?' 

"  En  Brer  Fox,  he  holler  back  : 

' '  Go  'way,  Rab  ;  don't  bodder  wid  me.  I'm  gwine  fer 
ter  see  my  gal." 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  laugh  Vay  down  in  his  stomach,  but 
he  don't  let  on,  en  atter  some  mo'  chat,  he  up'n'  say  dat 
ole  King  Deer  done  tell  'im  'bout  how  Brer  Fox  gwine  ter 
marry  he  daughter,  en  den  he  tell  Brer  Fox  dat  he  done 
promise  King  Deer  dat  dey'd  drap  'roun'  ter-night  en  gin 
'im  some  music. 

"  '  En  I  up'n'  tole  'im,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  dat  de 
music  w'at  we  can't  make  aint  wuth  makin',  —  me  wid  my 
quills,  en  you  wid  yo'  tr'angle.1  De  nex'  motion  we 
makes,'  sezee,  '  we'll  hatter  go  off  some'rs  en  practise  up 
on  de  song  well  sing,  en  I  got  one  yer  dat'll  tickle  um 
dat  bad,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  twel  I  lay  dey'll  fetch 
out  a  hunk  er  dat  big  chicken-pie  w'at  I  see  um  puttin'  in 
de  pot  des  now,'  sezee. 

"  In  a  'casion  lak  dis,  Brer  Fox  say  he  de  ve'y  man  w'at 
Brer  Rabbit  huntin',  en  he  'low  dat  he'll  des  'bout  put  off 
payin'  he  call  ter  King  Deer  house  en  go  wid  Brer  Rabbit 
fer  ter  practise  on  dat  song. 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  git  he  quills  en  Brer  Fox  he  git 
he  tr'angle,  en  dey  went  down  on  de  spring  branch,  en 
dar  dey  sing  en  play,  twell  dey  git  it  all  by  heart.  Ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  up  de  song  he  own  se'f,  en  he  fix  it 

1  Triangle. 


BROTHER  FOX  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT.     73 

so  dat  he  sing  de  call,  lak  de  captain  er  de  co'n-pile,  en 
ole  Brer  Fox,  he  hatter  sing  de  answer."1 

At  this  point  Uncle  Remus  paused  to  indulge  in  one  of 
his  suggestive  chuckles,  and  then  proceeded  : 

"  Don't  talk  'bout  no  songs  ter  me.  Gentermens  !  dat 
'uz  a  funny  song  fum  de  wud  go.  Bimeby,  w'en  dey 
practise  long  time,  dey  gits  up  en  goes  'roun'  in  de 
neighborhoods  er  King  Deer  house,  en  w'en  night  come 
dey  tuck  der  stan'  at  de  front  gate,  en  atter  all  got  still, 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  gun  de  wink,  en  dey  broke  loose  wid  der 
music.  Dey  played  a  chune  er  two  on  de  quills  en 
tr'angle,  en  den  dey  got  ter  de  song.  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
got  de  call,  en  he  open  up  lak  dis  : 

"  '  Some  folks  pile  up  mo'n  dey  kin  tote, 
En  dat  w'at  de  marter  wid  King  Deer  goat,' 

en  den  Brer  Fox,  he  make  answer : 

"  '  Dat'  s  so,  dat's  so,  en  I'm  glad  dat  it's  so! ' 

Den  de  quills  en  de  tr'angle,  dey  come  in,  en  den  Brer 
Rabbit  pursue  on  wid  de  call : 

"  '  Some  kill  sheep  en  some  kill  sJiote, 
But  Brer  Fox  kill  King  Deer  goat,' 

en  den  Brer  Fox,  he  jine  in  wid  de  answer : 

"  '  /  did,  dat  I  did,  en  I'm  glad  dat  I  did! ' 

En  des  'bout  dat  time  King  Deer,  he  walk  outer  de  gate 
en  hit  Brer  Fox  a  clip  wid  hia  walkin'-cane,  en  he  foller  it 
up  wid  'n'er'n,  dat  make  Brer  Fox  fa'rly  squall,  en  you  des 

1  That  is  to  say,  Brother  Rabbit  sang  the  air  and  Brother  Fox  the  refrain. 


74  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

better  b'lieve  he  make  tracks  'way  fum  dar,  en  de  gal  she 
come  out,  en  dey  ax  Brer  Rabbit  in." 

"  Did  Brother  Rabbit  marry  King  Deer's  daughter,  Uncle 
Remus  ?  "  asked  the  little  boy. 

"  Now,  den,  honey,  you're  crowdin'  me,"  responded  the 
old  man.  "Dey  ax  'im  in,  en  dey  gun  'im  a  great  big 
hunk  er  chicken-pie,  but  I  won't  make  sho'  dat  he  tuck'n' 
marry  de  gal.  De  p'int  wid  me  is  de  way  Brer  Rabbit  run 
Brer  Fox  off  fum  dar." 


XIV. 


BROTHER  TERRAPIN  DECEIVES  BROTHER 
BUZZARD. 

THEKE  was  a  pause  here,  which  was  finally  broken  by 
'Tildy,  whose  remark  was  in  the  shape  of  a  very  undigni- 
fied yawn.  Uncle  Remus  regarded  her  for  a  moment  with 
an  expression  of  undisguised  scorn,  which  quickly  ex- 
pressed itself  in  words  : 

"Ef  you'd  er  bin  outer  de  house  dat  whack,  you'd  er 
tuck  us  all  in.  Pity  dey  aint  some  place  er  'n'er  whar 
deze  yer  trollops  kin  go  en  1'arn  manners." 

'Tildy,  however,  ignored  the  old  man,  and,  with  a  toss 
of  her  head,  said  to  the  little  boy  in  a  cool,  exasperating 
tone,  employing  a  pet  name  she  had  heard  the  child's 
mother  use : 

"  Well,  Pinx,  I  speck  we  better  go.     De  rain  done  mos' 


BRO.    TERRAPIN    DECEIVES    BRO.    BUZZARD.        75 

hilt  up  now,  en  bimeby  de  stars'll  be  a-shinin'.  Miss  Sally 
lookin'  fer  you  right  now." 

"  You  better  go  whar  you  gwine,  you  triflin'  huzzy, 
you  !  "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus.  "  You  better  go  git  yo» 
Jim  Crow  kyard  en  straighten  out  dem  wrops  in  yo'  ha'r. 
I  allers  year  w'ite  folks  say  you  better  keep  yo'  eye  on  nig- 
gers w'at  got  der  ha'r  wrop  up  in  strings.  Now  I  done 
gun  you  fa'r  warnin's." 

"Uncle  Remus,"  said  the  little  boy,  when  the  old  man's 
wrath  had  somewhat  subsided,  "  why  do  they  call  them 
Jim  Crow  cards  ?  " 

"I  be  bless  ef  I  know,  honey,  'ceppin'  it's  kaze  dey  er 
de  onliest  machine  wa't  deze  yer  low-life  niggers  kin 
oncomb  der  kinks  wid.  Now,  den,"  continued  the  old 
man,  straightening  up  and*  speaking  with  considerable 
animation,  "  dat  min's  me  'bout  a  riddle  w'at  been  runnin' 
>roun'  in  my  head.  En  dat  riddle  —  it's  de  outdoin'es' 
riddle  w'at  I  mos'  ever  year  tell  un.  Hit  go  lak  dis  :  Ef 
he  come,  he  don't  come ;  ef  he  don't  come,  he  come. 
Now,  I  boun'  you  can't  tell  w'at  is  dat." 

After  some  time  spent  in  vain  guessing,  the  little  boy 
confessed  that  he  didn't  know. 

"Hit's  crow  en  co'n,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  sententiously. 

"  Crow  and  corn,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 

"  Co'se,  honey.  Crow  come,  de  co'n  don't  come  ;  crow 
don't  come,  den  de  co'n  come." 

"Dat's  so,"  said  Tildy.  "I  done  see  um  pull  up  co'n, 
en  I  done  see  co'n  grow  w'at  dey  don't  pull  up." 

If  'Tildy  thought  to  propitiate  Uncle  Remus,  she  waa 


76  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

mistaken.  He  scowled  at  her,  and  addressed  himself  to 
the  little  boy : 

"De  Crow,  he  mighty  close  kin  ter  de  Buzzud,  en  dat 
puts  me  in  min'  dat  we  aint  bin  a-keepin'  up  wid  ole  Brer 
Buzzud  close  ez  we  might  er  done. 

"  Wat  de  case  mout  be  deze  days,  I  aint  a-sayin',  but, 
in  dem  times,  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  love  honey  mo'  samer 
dan  Brer  B'ar,  but  he  wuz  dat  flat-footed  dat,  w'en  he  fine 
'a  bee-tree,  he  can't  climb  it,  en  he  go  so  slow  dat  he  can't 
hardly  fine  um.  Bimeby,  one  day,  w'en  he  gwine  'long 
down  de  road  des  a-honin'  atter  honey,  who  should  he 
meet  but  ole  Brer  Buzzud. 

"  Dey  shuck  han's  mighty  sociable  en  ax  'bout  de  news 
er  de  neighborhoods,  en  den,  atter  w'ile,  Brer  Tarrypin 
say  ter  ole  Brer  Buzzud,  sezee,  dat  he  wanter  go  inter 
cahoots  wid  'im  'longer  gittin'  honey,  en  'twa'n't  long  'fo' 
dey  struck  a  trade.  Brer  Buzzud  wuz  ter  fly  'roun'  en 
look  fer  de  bee-tree,  en  Brer  Tarrypin  he  wuz  ter  creep 
en  crawl,  en  hunt  on  de  groun'. 

"  Dey  start  out,  dey  did,  ole  Brer  Buzzud  sailin'  'roun' 
in  de  elements,  en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  shufflin'  en  shamblin' 
on  de  groun'.  'Mos'  de  ve'y  fus'  fiel'  w'at  he  come  ter, 
Brer  Tarrypin  strak  up  wid  a  great  big  bumbly-bee  nes' 
in  de  groun'.  He  look  'roun',  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  did,  en 
bimeby  he  stick  he  head  in  en  tas'e  de  honey,  en  den  he 
pull  it  out  en  look  all  'roun'  fer  ter  see  ef  he  kin  ketch  a 
glimpse  er  Brer  Buzzud ;  but  Brer  Buzzud  don't  seem  lak 
he  nowhar.  Den  Brer  Tarrypin  say  to  hisse'f,  sezee,  dat 
he  speck  dat  bumbly-bee  honey  aint  de  kinder  honey  w'at 


BRO.    TERRAPIN    DECEIVES    BRO.    BUZZARD.        77 

dey  been  talkin'  'bout,  en  dey  aint  no  great  shakes  er 
honey  dar  nohow.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Tarrypin  crope  inter 
de  hole  en  gobble  up  de  las'  drop  er  de  bumbly-bee  honey 
by  he  own-alone  se'f.  Atter  he  done  make  'way  wid  it, 
he  come  out,  he  did,  en  he  whirl  in  en  lick  it  all  ofPn  his 
footses,  so  ole  Brer  Buzzud  can't  tell  dat  he  done  bin  git 
a  mess  er  honey. 

"  Den  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  stretch  out  he  neck  en  try  ter 
lick  de  honey  off'n  he  back,  but  he  neck  too  short ;  en 
he  try  ter  scrape  it  off  up  'g'in'  a  tree,  but  it  don't  come 
off;  en  den  he  waller  on  de  groun',  but  still  it  don't  come 
off.  Den  old  Brer  Tarrypin  jump  up,  en  say  ter  hisse'f 
dat  he'll  des  'bout  rack  off  home,  en  w'en  Brer  Buzzud 
come  he  kin  lie  on  he  back  en  say  he  sick,  so  ole  Brer 
Buzzud  can't  see  de  honey. 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  start  off,  he  did,  but  he  happen  ter  look 
up,  en,  lo  en  beholes,  dar  wuz  Brer  Buzzud  huv'rin'  right 
spang  over  de  spot  whar  he  is.  Brer  Tarrypin  know  Brer 
Buzzud  bleedz  ter  see  'im  ef  he  start  off  home,  en  mo'n 
dat,  he  know  he  be  fine  out  ef  he  don't  stir  'roun'  en  do 
sump'n'  mighty  quick.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Tarrypin  shuffle 
back  ter  de  bumbly-bee  nes'  swif  ez  he  kin,  en  buiP  'im  a 
fier  in  dar,  en  den  he  crawl  out  en  holler  : 

' '  Brer  Buzzud  !  O  Brer  Buzzud  !  Eun  yer,  fer 
gracious  sake,  Brer  Buzzud,  en  look  how  much  honey  I 
done  fine  !  I  des  crope  in  a  little  ways,  en  it  des  drip  all 
down  my  back,  same  like  water.  Run  yer,  Brer  Buzzud  ! 
Half  yone  en  half  mine,  Brer  Buzzud !' 

"Brer  Buzzud,  he  flop  down,  en  he  laugh  en  say  he 


78  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    KEMUS. 

mighty  glad,  kaze  he  done  git  hongry  up  dar  whar  he  bin. 
Den  Brer  Tarrypin  tell  Brer  Buzzud  fer  ter  creep  in  little 
ways  en  tas'e  en  see  how  he  like  um,  w'iles  he  take  his 
stan'  on  de  outside  en  watch  fer  somebody.  But  no 
sooner  is  Brer  Buzzud  crope  in  de  bumbly-bee  nes'  dan 
Brer  Tarrypin  take'n'  roll  a  great  big  rock  front  er  de  hole. 
Terreckly,  de  fier  'gun  ter  bu'n  Brer  Buzzud,  en  he  sing 
out  like  a  man  in  trouble  : 

"SumpV  bitin'  me,  Brer  Tarrypin  —  sump'n'  bitin' 
me,  Brer  Tarrypin  ! ' 

"  Den  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  holler  back  : 

rt  'It's  de  bumbly-bees  a-stingin'  you,  Brer  Buzzud  ;  stan? 
up  en  flop  yo'  wings,  Brer  Buzzud.  Stan'  up  en  flop  yo' 
wings,  Brer  Buzzud,  en  you'll  drive  um  off,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Buzzud  flop  en  flop  he  wings,  but  de  mo'  w'at 
he  flop,  de  mo'  he  fan  de  fier,  en  twa'n't  long  'fo'  he  done 
bodaciously  bu'n  up,  all  'ceppin'  de  big  een  er  his  wing- 
fedders,  en  dem  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  tuck  en  make  inter 
some  quills,  w'ich  he  go  'roun'  a-playin  un  um,  en  de 
chune  w'at  he  play  was  dish  yer  : 

llllfoolee,  Ifoolee,  Ifooleepo'  Buzzud; 
Po'  Buzzud  Ifoolee,  Ifoolee,  Ifoolee.'" 


BROTHER    FOX    COVETS    THE    QUILLS.  79 


XV. 


BROTHER  FOX  COVETS  THE   QUILLS. 

1 '  THAT  must  have  been  a  mighty  funny  song,"  said  the 
little  boy. 

"  Fun  one  time  aint  fun  n'er  time  ;  some  folks  fines  fun 
whar  yuther  folks  fines  trouble.  Pig  may  laugh  w'en  he 
see  de  rock  a-heatin',  but  dey  aint  no  fun  dar  fer  de  pig.1 

"  Yit,  fun  er  no  fun,  dat  de  song  w'at  Brer  Tarrypin 
play  on  de  quills  : 

"  'Ifoolee,  Ifoolee,  Ifooleepo*  Buzzud; 
Po'  Buzzud  Ifoolee,  Ifoolee,  Ifoolee.' 

"  Nobody  dunner  whar  de  quills  cum  fum,  kase  Brer 
Tarrypin,  he  aint  makin'  no  brags  how  he  git  um ;  yit 
ev'ybody  want  um  on  account  er  der  playin'  sech  a  lone- 
some 2  chune,  en  ole  Brer  Fox,  he  want  um  wuss'n  all. 
He  beg  en  he  beg  Brer  Tarrypin  fer  ter  sell  'im  dem  quills  ; 
but  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  hoi'  on  t'um  tight,  en  say  eh-eh ! 
Den  he  ax  Brer  Tarrypin  fer  ter  loan  um  t'um  des  a  week, 
so  he  kin  play  fer  he  chilluns,  but  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  shake 
he  head  en  put  he  foot  down,  en  keep  on  playin' : 

"  '  Ifoolee,  Ifoolee,  Ifoolee  po'  Buzzud; 
Po'  Buzzud  Ifoolee,  Ifoolee,  Ifoolee.' 

1  An  allusion  to  the  primitive  mode  of  cleaning  hogs  by  heating  rocks,  and 
placing  them  in  a  barrel  or  tank  of  water. 

2  This  word  "  lonesome,"   as  used  by  the  negroes,  is  the   equivalent  of 
"thrilling,"  "romantic,"  etc.,  and  in  that  sense  is  very  expressive. 


80  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  But  Brer  Fox,  he  aint  got  no  peace  er  min'  on  account 
er  dem  quills,  en  one  day  he  meet  Brer  Tarrypin  en  he  ax 
'im  how  he  seem  ter  segashuate 1  en  he  fambly  en  all  he 
chilluns  ;  en  den  Brer  Fox  ax  Brer  Tarrypin  ef  he  can't 
des  look  at  de  quills,  kaze  he  got  some  goose-fedders  at 
he  house,  en  if  he  kin  des  get  a  glimpse  er  Brer  Tarrypin 
quills,  he  speck  he  kin  make  some  mighty  like  um. 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  he  study  'bout  dis,  but  he  hate  ter  'ny 
small  favors  like  dat,  en  bimeby  he  hoi'  out  dem  quills 
whar  Brer  Fox  kin  see  um.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n' 
juk  de  quills  outen  Brer  Tarrypin  han',  he  did,  and  dash 
off  des  ez  hard  ez  he  kin  go.  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  holler 
en  holler  at  'im  des  loud  ez  he  kin  holler,  but  he  know  he 
can't  ketch  'im,  en  he  des  sot  dar,  Brer  Tarrypin  did,  en 
look  lak  he  done  los'  all  de  kin-folks  w'at  he  got  in  de 
roun'  worrul'. 

"  Atter  dis,  Brer  Fox  he  strut  'roun'  en  play  mighty 
biggity,  en  eve'y  time  he  meet  Brer  Tarrypin  in  de  road 
he  walk  all  'roun'  'im  en  play  on  de  quills  like  dis  : 

44 '  Ifoolee,  Ifoolee,  po'  Buzzud  ; 
Ifoolee  ole  Tarrypin,  too.' 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  he  feel  mighty  bad,  but  he  aint  sayin' 
nothin.'  Las',  one  day  w'iles  old  Brer  Tarrypin  was  set- 
tin'  on  a  log  sunnin'  hisse'f,  yer  come  Brer  Fox  playin'  dat 
same  old  chune  on  de  quills,  but  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  stay 
still.  Brer  Fox,  he  come  up  little  nigher  en  play,  but  Brer 
Tarrypin,  he  keep  he  eyes  shot  en  he  stay  still.  Brer  Fox, 

1  An  inquiry  after  his  health.      Another  form  is :    "  How  does  yo'  corpo- 
rosity  seem  ter  segashuate  ?  " 


BROTHER    FOX    COVETS    THE    QUILLS.  81 

he  come  nigher  en  git  on  de  log ;  Brer  Tarrypin  aint  say- 
in'  nothin'.  Brer  Fox  still  git  up  nigher  en  play  on  de 
quills  ;  still  Brer  Tarrypin  aint  sayin'  nothin'. 

" '  Brer  Tarrypin  mighty  sleepy  dis  mawnin','  sez  Brer 
Fox,  sezee. 

"  Still  Brer  Tarrypin  keep  he  eyes  shot  en  stay  still. 
Brer  Fox  keep  on  gittin'  nigher  en  nigher,  twel  bimeby 
Brer  Tarrypin  open  he  eyes  en  he  niouf  bofe,  en  he  make 
a  grab  at  Brer  Fox  en  miss  'im. 

"But  hoi'  on  !"  exclaimed  Uncle  Kemus,  in  response  to 
an  expression  of  intense  disappointment  in  the  child's  face. 
"You  des  wait  a  minnit.  Nex'  mawnin',  Brer  Tarrypin 
take  hisse'f  off  en  waller  in  a  mud-hole,  en  smear  hisse'f 
wid  mud  twel  he  look  des  'zackly  lak  a  clod  er  dirt.  Den 
he  crawl  off  en  lay  down  un'need  a  log  whar  he  know  Brer 
Fox  come  eve'y  mawnin'  fer  ter  freshen '  hisse'f. 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  lay  dar,  he  did,  en  terreckly  yer  come 
Brer  Fox.  Time  he  git  dar,  Brer  Fox  'gun  ter  lip  back- 
erds  en  forerds  'cross  de  log,  and  Brer  Tarrypin  he  crope 
nigher  en  nigher,  twel  bimeby  he  make  a  grab  at  Brer 
Fox  en  kotch  him  by  de  foot.  Dey  tells  me,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  rubbing  his  hands  together  in  token  of 
great  satisfaction,  — "  dey  tells  me  dat  w'en  Brer  Tarrypin 
ketch  holt,  hit  got  ter  thunder  'fo'  he  let  go.  All  I  know, 
Brer  Tarrypin  git  Brer  Fox  by  de  foot,  en  he  hilt  'im  dar. 
Brer  Fox  he  jump  en  he  r'ar,  but  Brer  Tarrypin  done  got 
'im.  Brer  Fox,  he  holler  out : 

'  *  Brer  Tarrypin,  please  lemme  go  ! ' 
1  Exercise  himself. 


82  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  talk  way  down  in  his  th'oat : 

"  '  Gim'  my  quills  !  ' 

:  '  Lemme  go  en  fetch  urn.' 

«  '  Gim'  my  quills  ! ' 

;  '  Do  pray  lemme  go  git  um.' 

"  '  Gim'  my  quills  !  ' 

"  En,  bless  gracious  !  dis  all  Brer  Fox  kin  git  outer 
Brer  Tarrypin.  Las',  Brer  Fox  foot  hu't  'im  so  bad  dat 
he  bleedz  ter  do  sump'n,  en  he  sing  out  fer  his  ole  'oman 
fer  ter  fetch  de  quills,  but  he  ole  'oman,  she  busy  'bout  de 
house,  en  she  don't  year  'im.  Den  he  call  he  son,  w'ich 
he  name  Tobe.  He  holler  en  bawl,  en  Tobe  make 


answer : 

«  <  Tobe  !  O  Tobe  !     You  Tobe 


'  Wat  you  want,  daddy?  ' 
"  '  Fetch  Brer  Tarrypin  quills.' 

'Wat   you  say,  daddy?     Fetch  de  big  tray  ter  git  de 
honey  in  ? ' 

: '  No,  you  crazy-head  !     Fetch  Brer  Tarrypin  quills  !  ' 
c  Wat  you  say,  daddy?    Fetch  de  dipper  ter  ketch  de 
minners  in?' 

' '  No,  you  fool !     Fetch  Brer  Tarrypin  quills  !  ' 
'  Wat  you  say,  daddy  ?     Water  done  been  spill  ? ' 
"  Hit  went  on  dis  away  twel  atter  w'ile  ole  Miss  Fox 
year  de  racket,  en  den  she  lissen,  en  she  know  dat  'er  ole 
man  holler'n'  fer  de  quills,  en  she  fotch  um  out  en  gun  um 
ter  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  let   go  he   holt. 
He  let  go  he  holt,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "but  long  time 


BROTHER    FOX    FAILED    TO   GET  HIS   GRAPES.      83 

alter  dat,  w'en  Brer  Fox  go  ter  pay  he  calls,  he  hatter  go 
hoppity-fetchity,  hoppity-fetchity. 

The  old  man  folded  his  hands  in  his  lap,  and  sat 
quietly  gazing  into  the  lightwood  fire.  Presently  he 
said : 

"  I  speck  Miss  Sally  blessin'  us  all  right  now,  en  fus' 
news  you  know  she'll  hist  up  en  have  Mars  John  a- 
trapesin'  down  yer  ;  en  ef  she  do  dat,  den  ter-morrer  maw- 
nin'  my  brekkuss'll  be  col',  en  lakwise  my  dinner,  en  ef 
dey's  sump'n'  w'at  I  'spizes  hits  col'  vittels." 

Thereupon  Uncle  Remus  arose,  shook  himself,  peered 
out  into  the  night  to  discover  that  the  rain  had  nearly 
ceased,  and  then  made  ready  to  carry  the  little  boy  to  his 
mother.  Long  before  the  chickens  had  crowed  for  mid- 
night, the  child,  as  well  as  the  old  man,  had  been  trans- 
ported to  the  land  where  myths  and  fables  cease  to  be 
wonderful,  — the  land  of  pleasant  dreams. 


XVI. 

HOW  BROTHER  FOX  FAILED   TO   GET  HIS 
GRAPES. 

ONE  night  the  little  boy  failed  to  make  his  appearance 
at  the  accustomed  hour,  and  the  next  morning  the  intel- 
ligence that  the  child  was  sick  went  forth  from  the  "  big 
house."  Uncle  Remus  was  told  that  it  had  been  necessary 


84  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

during  the  night  to  call  in  two  physicians.  When  this 
information  was  imparted  to  the  old  man,  there  was  an 
expression  upon  his  countenance  of  awe  not  unmixed  with 
indignation.  He  gave  vent  to  the  latter  : 

"Dar  now  !  Two  un  um  !  Wen  dat  chile  rize  up,  ef 
rize  up  he  do,  he  '11  des  natally  be  a  shadder.  Yer  I  is, 
gwine  on  eighty  year,  en  I  aint  tuck  none  er  dat  ar  docter 
truck  yit,  ceppin'  it's  dish  yer  flas'  er  poke-root  w'at  ole 
Miss  Favers  fix  up  fer  de  stiffness  in  my  j'ints.  Dey'll 
come  en  dey'll  go,  en  dey'll  po'  in  der  jollup  yer  en  slap 
on  der  fly-plarster  dar,  en  sprinkle  der  calomy  yander, 
twel  bimeby  dat  chile  won't  look  like  hisse'f.  Dat's  wat ! 
En  mo'n  dat,  hit's  mighty  kuse  unter  me  dat  ole  folks  kin 
go  'long  en  stan'  up  ter  de  rack  en  gobble  up  der  'low- 
ance,  en  yit  chilluns  is  got  ter  be  strucken  down.  Ef 
Miss  Sally'll  des  tu'n  dem  docter  mens  loose  onter  me,  I 
lay  I  lick  up  der  physic  twel  dey  go  off  'stonish'd." 

But  no  appeal  of  this  nature  was  made  to  Uncle  Remus. 
The  illness  of  the  little  boy  was  severe,  but  not  fatal.  He 
took  his  medicine  and  improved,  until  finally  even  the  doc- 
tors pronounced  him  convalescent.  But  he  was  very  weak, 
and  it  was  a  fortnight  before  he  was  permitted  to  leave  his 
bed.  He  was  restless,  and  yet  his  term  of  imprisonment 
was  full  of  pleasure.  Every  night  after  supper  Uncle 
Remus  would  creep  softly  into  the  back  piazza,  place  his 
hat  carefully  on  the  floor,  rap  gently  on  the  door  by  way 
of  announcement,  and  so  pass  into  the  nursery.  How 
patient  his  vigils,  how  tender  his  ministrations,  only  the 
mother  of  the  little  boy  knew ;  how  comfortable  and  re- 


BROTHER    FOX    FAILED    TO   GET   HIS   GRAPES.      85 

freshing  the  change  from  the  bed  to  the  strong  arms  of 
Uncle  Remus,  only  the  little  boy  could  say. 

Almost  the  first  manifestation  of  the  child's  convalescence 
was  the  renewal  of  his  interest  in  the  wonderful  adventures 
of  Brother  Rabbit,  Brother  Fox,  and  the  other  brethren 
who  nourished  in  that  strange  past  over  which  this  modern 
^Esop  had  thrown  the  veil  of  fable.  "  Miss  Sally,"  as 
Uncle  Remus  called  the  little  boy's  mother,  sitting  in  an 
adjoining  room,  heard  the  youngster  pleading  for  a  story, 
and  after  a  while  she  heard  the  old  man  clear  up  his  throat 
with  a  great  affectation  of  formality  and  begin. 

"  Dey  aint  skacely  no  p'int  whar  ole  Brer  Rabbit  en  ole 
Brer  Fox  made  der  'greements  side  wid  one  er  n'er ;  let 
'lone  dat,  dey  wuz  one  p'int  'twix'  um  w'ich  it  wuz  same 
ez  fier  en  tow,  en  dat  wuz  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals. 
Little  ez  you  might  speck,  dem  same  creeturs  wuz  bofe 
un  um  fly  in'  'roun'  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals.  Ole  Brer 
Rabbit,  he'd  go  dar,  en  dar  he'd  fine  ole  Brer  Fox  settin' 
up  gigglin'  wid  de  gals,  en  den  he'd  skuze  hisse'f,  he 
would,  en  gallop  down  de  big  road  a  piece,  en  paw  up  de 
san'  same  lak  dat  ar  ball-face  steer  w'at  tuck'n  tuck  off 
yo'  pa'  coat-tail  las'  Feberwary.  En  lakwise  ole  Brer 
Fox,  he'd  sa'nter  in,  en  fine  old  man  Rab.  settin'  'longside 
er  de  gals,  en  den  he'd  go  out  down  de  road  en  grab  a 
simmon-bush  in  he  mouf,  en  natally  gnyaw  de  bark  ofFn 
it.  In  dem  days,  honey,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  re- 
sponding to  a  look  of  perplexity  on  the  child's  face, 
"  creeturs  wuz  wuss  dan  w'at  dey  is  now.  Dey  wuz  dat 
—  lots  wuss. 


86  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

"  Dey  went  on  dis  a  way  twel,  bimeby,  Brer  Rabbit 
'gun  ter  cas'  'roun',  he  did,  fer  ter  see  ef  he  can't  bus' 
inter  some  er  Brer  Fox  'rangerments,  en,  atter  w'ile,  one 
day  w'en  he  wer'  settin'  down  by  de  side  er  de  road 
wukkin  up  de  diffunt  oggyment  w'at  strak  pun  he  mine, 
en  fixin'  up  he  tricks,  des  'bout  dat  time  he  year  a  clatter 
up  de  long  green  lane,  en  yer  come  ole  Brer  Fox  — 
too-boolcity  —  boolcity  —  boolcity-book  —  lopin'  'long  mo' 
earner  dan  a  bay  colt  in  de  bolly-patch.  En  he  wuz  all 
primp  up,  too,  mon,  en  he  look  slick  en  shiny  lak  he  des 
come  outen  de  sto'.  Ole  man  Rab.,  he  sot  dar,  he  did, 
en  w'en  ole  Brer  Fox  come  gallopin'  long,  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  up'n  hail  'im.  Brer  Fox,  he  fotch  up,  en  dey  pass  de 
time  er  day  wid  one  er  nudder  monst'us  perlite ;  en  den, 
bimeby  atter  w'ile,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  say,  sezee,  dat 
he  got  some  mighty  good  news  fer  Brer  Fox ;  en  Brer 
Fox,  he  up'n  ax  'im  w'at  is  it.  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
sorter  scratch  he  year  wid  his  behime  foot  en  say,  sezee  : 

' '  I  wuz  takin'  a  walk  day  'fo'  yistiddy,'  sezee,  '  w'en  de 
fus'  news  I  know'd  I  run  up  gin  de  bigges'  en  de  fattes' 
bunch  er  grapes  dat  I  ever  lay  eyes  on.  Dey  wuz  dat  fat 
en  dat  big,'  sezee,  'dat  de  natal  juice  wuz  des  drappin' 
fum  um,  en  de  bees  wuz  a  swawmin'  atter  de  honey,  en 
little  ole  Jack  Sparrer  en  all  er  his  fambly  conneckshun 
wuz  skeetin'  'roun'  dar  dippin'  in  der  bills,'  sezee. 

"Right  den  en  dar,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "  Brer  Fox 
mouf  'gun  ter  water,  en  he  look  outer  he  eye  like  he  de 
bes'  frien'  w'at  Brer  Rabbit  got  in  de  roun'  worl'.  He 


BROTHER    FOX    FAILED    TO   GET  HIS   GRAPES.      87 

done  fergit  all  'bout  de  gals,  en  he  sorter  sidle  up  ter  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  did,  en  he  say,  sezee  : 

"'Come  on,  Brer  Rabbit,'  sezee,  'en  less  you'n  me  go 
git  dem  ar  grapes  'fo'  deyer  all  gone,'  sezee.  En  den  ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  laff,  he  did,  en  up'n  'spon',  sezee : 

"I  hungry  myse'f,  Brer  Fox,'  sezee,  'but  I  aint  hank- 
erin'  atter  grapes,  en  I'll  be  in  monst'us  big  luck  ef  I 
kin  rush  'roun'  yer  some'rs  en  scrape  up  a  bait  er  pusley 
time  miff  fer  ter  keep  de  breff  in  my  body.  En  yit,'  sezee, 
'ef  you  take'n  rack  off  atter  deze  yer  grapes,  w'at  Miss 
Meadows  en  de  gals  gwine  do  ?  I  lay  dey  got  yo'  name 
in  de  pot,'  sezee. 

" '  Ez  ter  dat,'  sez  ole  Brer  Fox,  sezee,  '  I  kin  drap 
'roun'  en  see  de  ladies  atterwards,'  sezee. 

'Well,  den,  ef  dat's  yo'  game,'  sez  ole  man  Rab., 
sezee,  'I  kin  squot  right  flat  down  yer  on  de  groun'  en 
p'int  out  de  way  des  de  same  ez  leadin'  you  dar  by  de 
han','  sezee ;  en  den  Brer  Rabbit  sorter  chaw  on  he  cud 
lak  h&  gedder'n  up  his  'membunce,  en  he  up'n  say, 
sezee  : 

" '  You  know  dat  ar  place  whar  you  went  atter  sweet- 
gum  fer  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals  t'er  day?'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Fox  'low  dat  he  know  dat  ar  place  same  ez  he  do 
he  own  tater-patch. 

'Well,  den,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'de  grapes  aint 
dar.  You  git  ter  de  sweetgum,'  sezee,  '  en  den  you  go 
up  de  branch  twel  you  come  ter  a  little  patch  er  bamboo- 
brier  —  but  de  grapes  aint  dar.  Den  you  follow  yo'  lef ' 
han'  en  strike  'cross  de  hill  twel  you  come  ter  dat  big  red- 


88  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

oak  root  —  but  de  grapes  aint  dar.  On  you  goes  down  de 
hill  twel  you  come  ter  n'er  branch,  en  on  dat  branch  dars  a 
dog- wood  tree  leanin'  'way  over,  en  nigh  dat  dogwood  dars 
a  vine,  en  in  dat  vine,  dar  you'll  fine  yo'  grapes.  Deyer  dat 
ripe,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  dat  dey  look  like  deyer 
done  melt  tergedder,  en  I  speck  you'll  fine  um  fuller  bugs, 
but  you  kin  take  dat  fine  bushy  tail  er  yone,  Brer  Fox,' 
sezee,  '  en  bresh  dem  bugs  away.' 

"  Brer  Fox  'low  he  much  'blige,  en  den  he  put  out  atter 
de  grapes  in  a  han'-gallop,  en  w'en  he  done  got  outer  sight, 
en  likewise  outer  year'n,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  take'n  git  a  blade 
er  grass,  he  did,  en  tickle  hisse'f  in  de  year,  en  den  he  holler 
en  laff,  en  laff  en  holler,  twel  he  hatter  lay  down  fer  ter  git 
he  breff  back  'gin. 

"Den,  atter  so  long  time,  Brer  Rabbit  he  jump  up,  he 
do,  en  take  atter  Brer  Fox,  but  Brer  Fox,  he  aint  look 
ter  de  right  ner  de  lef ' ,  en  needer  do  he  look  behime  ;  he 
des  keep  a  rackin'  'long  twel  he  come  ter  des  weetgum-tree, 
en  den  he  tu'n  up  de  branch  twel  he  come  ter  de  bamboo- 
brier,  en  den  he  tu'n  squar  ter  de  lef  twel  he  come  ter  de 
big  red-oak  root,  en  deu  he  keep  on  down  he  hill  twel  he 
come  ter  de  yuther  branch,  en  dar  he  see  de  dogwood ;  en 
mo'n  dat,  dar  nigh  de  dogwood  he  see  de  vine,  en  in  dat 
vine  dar  wuz  de  big  bunch  er  grapes.  Sho'  miff,  dey  wuz 
all  kivvud  wid  bugs. 

"Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he'd  bin  a  pushin'  'long  atter  Brer 
Fox,  but  he  des  hatter  scratch  gravel  fer  ter  keep  up. 
Las'  he  hove  in  sight,  en  he  lay  off  in  de  weeds,  he  did, 
fer  ter  watch  Brer  Fox  motions.  Present'y  Brer  Fox 


BROTHER    FOX    FAILED    TO   GET   HIS   GRAPES.      89 

crope  up  de  leanin'  dogwood-tree  twel  he  come  nigh  de 
grapes,  en  den  he  sorter  ballunce  hisse'f  on  a  liin'  en  gun 
um  a  swipe  wid  his  big  bushy  tail,  fer  ter  bresh  off  de 
bugs.  But,  bless  yo'  soul,  honey  !  no  sooner  is  he  done 
dat  dan  he  fetch  a  squall  w'ich  Miss  Meadows  vow  atter- 
wards  she  year  plum  ter  her  house,  en  down  he  come  — 
ker-blim  !  " 

"  What  was  the  matter,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  the  little  boy 
asked. 

"  Law,  honey !  dat  seetful  Brer  Rabbit  done  fool  ole 
Brer  Fox.  Dem  ar  grapes  all  so  fine  wuz  needer  mo'  ner 
less  dan  a  great  big  was'-nes',  en  dem  bugs  wuz  deze  yer 
red  wassies  —  deze  yer  speeshy  wat's  rank  pizen  fum  een' 
ter  een'.  Wen  Brer  Fox  drap  fum  de  tree  de  wassies  dey 
drap  wid  'im,  en  de  way  dey  worn  ole  Brer  Fox  up  wuz 
sinful.  Dey  aint  mo'n  tetch  'im  'fo'  dey  had  'im  het  up 
ter  de  b'ilin'  p'int.  Brer  Fox,  he  run,  en  he  kick,  en  he 
scratch,  en  he  bite,  en  he  scramble,  en  he  holler,  en  he 
howl,  but  look  lak  dey  git  wuss  en  wuss.  One  time,  hit 
seem  lak  Brer  Fox  en  his  new  'quaintance  wuz  makin' 
todes  Brer  Rabbit,  but  dey  aint  no  sooner  p'int  dat  way, 
dan  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  make  a  break,  en  he  went 
sailin'  thoo  de  woods  wuss'n  wunner  dese  whully-win's,  en 
he  ain't  stop  twel  he  fetch  up  at  Miss  Meadows. 

"  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals,  dey  ax  'im,  dey  did,  whar- 
bouts  wuz  Brer  Fox,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  'spon'  dat 
he  done  gone  a  grape-huntin',  en  den  Miss  Meadows,  she 
'low,  she  did : 

"'Law,  gals  !  is  you  ever  year  de  beat  er  dat  ?     En  dat, 


90  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

too,  w'en  Brer  Fox  done  say  he  comin'  ter  dinner,'  sez  she. 
'I  lay  I  done  wid  Brer  Fox,  kaze  you  can't  put  no  pen- 
nunce  in  deze  yer  men-folks,'  sez  she.  '  Yer  de  dinner 
bin  done  dis  long  time,  en  we  bin  a  waiting  lak  de  quality. 
But  now  I'm  done  wid  Brer  Fox,'  sez  she. 

"  Wid  dat,  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals  dey  ax  Brer  Rab- 
bit fer  ter  stay  ter  dinner,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  make 
like  he  wanter  be  skuze,  but  bimeby  he  tuck  a  cheer  en 
sot  um  out.  He  tuck  a  cheer,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
"  en  he  aint  bin  dar  long  twel  he  look  out  en  spy  ole  Brer 
Fox  gwine  'long  by,  en  w'at  do  Brer  Rabbit  do  but  call 
Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals  en  p'int  'im  out?  Soon's  dey 
seed  'im  dey  sot  up  a  monst'us  gigglement,  kaze  Brer 
Fox  wuz  dat  swell  up  twel  little  mo'n  he'd  a  bus'.  He 
head  wuz  swell  up,  en  down  ter  he  legs,  dey  wuz  swell 
up.  Miss  Meadows,  she  up'n  say  dat  Brer  Fox  look  like 
he  done  gone  en  got  all  de  grapes  dey  wuz  in  de  neigh- 
berhoods,  en  one  er  de  yuther  gals,  she  squeal,  she  did,  en 
say  : 

' '  Law,  aint  you  'shame',  en  right  yer  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit ! ' 
"  En  den  dey  hilt  der  han's  'fo'  der  face  en  giggle  des 
like  gals  duz  deze  days." 


MR.   FOX  FIGURES   AS   AN  INCENDIARY.  91 


XVII. 

MR.  FOX  FIGURES  AS  AN  INCENDIARY. 

THE  next  night  the  little  boy  had  been  thoughtful 
enough  to  save  some  of  his  supper  for  Uncle  Remus,  and  to 
this  "  Miss  Sally" had  added,  on  her  own  account,  a  large 
piece  of  fruit-cake.  The  old  man  appeared  to  be  highly 
pleased. 

"  Ef  ders  enny  kinder  cake  w'at  I  likes  de  mos',  hits  dish 
yer  kine  w'at's  got  reezins  strowed  'mongs'  it.  Wid  sick 
folks,  now,"  he  continued,  holding  up  the  cake  and  sub- 
jecting it  to  a  critical  examination,  "dish  yer  hunk  'ud 
mighty  nigh  las'  a  mont',  but  wid  a  well  man  lak  I  is, 
hit  won't  las'  a  minnit." 

And  it  didn't.  It  disappeared  so  suddenly  that  the 
little  boy  laughed  aloud,  and  wanted  Uncle  Remus  to 
have  some  more  cake  ;  but  the  latter  protested  that  he 
didn't  come  there  "  fer  ter  git  founder'd,"  but  merely  to  see 
"  ef  somebody's  strenk  uz  strong  miff  fer  ter  stan'  n'er 
tale."  The  little  boy  said  if  Uncle  Remus  meant  him,  he 
was  sure  his  health  was  good  enough  to  listen  to  any 
number  of  stories.  Whereupon,  the  old  man,  without 
any  tantalizing  preliminaries,  began  : 

"  Brer  Fox  done  bin  fool  so  much  by  Brer  Rabbit  dat 
he  sorter  look  'roun'  fer  ter  see  ef  he  can't  ketch  up  wid 


92  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

some  er  de  yuthercreeturs,  en  so,  one  day,  w'iles  he  gwine 
long  down  de  big  road,  who  should  he  strak  up  wid  but 
old  Brer  Tarry  pin.  Brer  Fox  sorter  lick  his  chops,  en 
'low  dat  ef  he  kin  fling  ennybody  en  gin  urn  ail-under 
holt,  Brer  Tarry  pin  de  man,  en  he  march  up,  mighty 
biggity,  like  he  gwine  ter  make  spote  un  'im.  Wen  he  git 
up  nigh  nuff,  Brer  Fox  hail  'im  : 

f  ?  How  you  speck  you  fine  yo'se'f  dis  mawnin',  Brer 
Tarrypin  ? '  sezee. 

"Slow,  Brer  Fox — mighty  slow,'  sez  Brer  Tarrypin, 
sezee.  *  Day  in  en  day  out  I'm  mighty  slow,  en  it  look 
lak  I'm  a-gittin'  slower ;  I'm  slow  en  po'ly,  Brer  Fox  — 
how  you  come  on?'  sezee. 

f '  Oh,  I'm  slanchindickler,  same  ez  I  allers  is,'  sez  Brer 
Fox,  sezee.  '  Wat  make  yo'  eye  so  red,  Brer  Tarryfnn? ' 
sezee. 

'  Hit's  all  'longer  de  trouble  I  see,  Brer  Fox,'  sez  Brer 
Tarrypin,  sezee.  '  I  see  trouble  en  you  see  none  ;  trouble 
come  en  pile  up  on  trouble,'  sezee. 

"Law,  Brer  Tarrypin!'  sez  Brer  Fox,  sezee,  f  you 
aint  see  no  trouble  yit.  Ef  you  wanter  see  sho'  nuff 
trouble,  you  des  oughter  go  'longer  me  ;  I'm  de  man  w'at 
kin  show  you  trouble,'  sezee. 

'Well,  den,'  sez  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  sezee,  '  ef  youer 
de  man  w'at  kin  show  me  trouble,  den  I'm  de  man  w'at 
want  a  glimpse  un  it,'  sezee. 

"  Den  Brer  Fox,  he  ax  Brer  Tarrypin  is  he  seed  de  Ole 
Boy,  en  den  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  make  answer  dat  he  aint 


MR.   FOX  FIGURES   AS   AN  INCENDIARY.  93 

seed  'im  yit,  but  he  year  tell  un  'im.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Fox 
'low  de  Ole  Boy  de  kinder  trouble  he  bin  talkin'  'bout,  en 
den  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  up'n  ax  how  he  gwine  see  'im. 
Brer  Fox,  he  tak'n  lay  out  de  pogrance,  en  he  up'n  tell 
Brer  Tarrypin  dat  ef  he'll  step  up  dar  in  de  middle  er  dat 
ole  broom-sage  fiel',  en  squot  dar  a  spell,  'twon't  be  no 
time  'fo'  he'll  ketch  a  glimpse  er  de  Ole  Boy. 

"Brer  Tarrypin  know'd  ders  sump'n  wrong  some'rs,  yit 
he  mos'  too  flat-flooted  fer  ter  have  enny  scuffle  wid  Brer 
Fox,  en  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he'll  go  'long  en  des  trus'ter 
luck ;  en  den  he  'low  dat  ef  Brer  Fox  he'p  'im  'cross  de 
fence,  he  b'lieve  he'll  go  up  en  resk  one  eye  on  de  Old 
Boy.  Co'se  Brer  Fox  hope  'im  'cross,  en  no  sooner  is  he 
good  en  gone,  dan  Brer  Fox,  he  fix  up  fer  ter  make  'im  see 
trouble.  He  lipt  out  ter  Miss  Meadows  house,  Brer  Fox 
did,  en  make  like  he  wanter  borry  a  chunk  er  fier  fer  ter 
light  he  pipe,  en  he  tuck  dat  chunk,  en  he  run  'roun'  de 
fiel',  en  he  sot  de  grass  a  fier,  en  'twan't  long  'fo'  it  look 
lak  de  whole  face  er  de  yeth  waz  a-blazin'  up." 

"  Did  it  burn  the  Terrapin  up  ?  "  interrupted  the  little 
boy. 

"  Don't  push  me,  honey ;  don't  make  me  git  de  kyart 
'fo'  de  hoss.  Wen  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  'gun  ter  wade  thoo 
de  straw,  de  ve'y  fus'  man  w'at  he  strak  up  wid  wuz  ole 
man  Rabbit  layin'  dar  sleepin'  on  de  shady  side  uv  a  tus- 
sock. Brer  Rabbit,  he  one  er  deze  yer  kinder  mens  w'at 
sleep  wid  der  eye  wide  open,  en  he  wuz  'wake  d'reckly  he 
year  Brer  Tarrypin  scufflin'  en  scramblin'  'long  thoo  de 


94  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

grass.  Alter  dey  shuck  han's  en  ax  'bout  one  er  n'er  fambly, 
hit  aint  take  long  fer  Brer  Tarrypin  fer  ter  tell  Brer  Rab- 
bit w'at  fotch  'im  dar,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  say,  sezee  : 

'* f  Hit's  des  natally  a  born  blessin  dat  you  struck  up  wid 
me  w'en  you  did,'  sezee,  'kaze  little  mo'  en  bofe  un  us 
would  a  bin  bobby cu'd,'  sezee. 

"  Dis  kinder  tarrify  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  he  say  he  wanter 
git  out  fum  dar ;  but  Brer  Rabbit  he  'low  he'd  take  keer 
un  'im,  en  he  tuck'n  tuck  Brer  Tarrypin  in  de  middle  er 
defiel' whar  dey  wuz  a  big  holler  stump.  Onter  dis  stump 
Brer  Rabbit  lif  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  den  he  lip  up  hisse'f  en 
crope  in  de  holler,  en,  bless  yo'  soul,  honey,  w'en  de  fier 
come  a-snippin'  en  a-snappin',  dar  dey  sot  des  ez  safe  en 
ez  snug  ez  you  iz  in  yo'  bed  dis  minit. 

"  W'en  de  blaze  blow  over,  Brer  Tarrypin  look  'roun', 
en  he  see  Brer  Fox  runnin'  up'n  down  de  fence  lak  he 
huntin'  sump'n.  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  stick  his  head  up 
outen  de  hole,  en  likewise  he  seed  sim,  and  den  he  holler 
like  Brer  Tarrypin"  (Here  Uncle  Remus  puckered  his 
voice,  so  to  say,  in  a  most  amusing  squeak)  : 

"  '  Brer  Fox  !  Brer  Fox  !  O  Brer  Fox  !  Run  yer  — 
we  done  kotch  Brer  Rabbit ! ' 

"  En  den  Brer  Fox,  he  jump  up  on  de  top  rail  er  de  fence 
en  fetch  a  spring  dat  Ian'  'im  'way  out  in  de  bu'nin'  grass, 
en  it  hurted  'ini  en  sting  'im  in  de  footses  dat  bad,  dat  he 
squeal  en  he  roll,  en  de  mo'  he  roll  de  wus  it  bu'n  him,  en 
Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarrypin  dey  des  holler  en  lafF.  Bime- 
by  Brer  Fox  git  out,  en  off  he  put  down  de  road,  limpin' 
fus  on  one  foot  en  den  on  de  yuther." 


A  DREAM  AND  A  STOEY.  95 

The  little  boy  laughed,  and  then  there  was  a  long  silence 
- —  so  long,  indeed,  that  Uncle  Remus's  "  Miss  Sally,"  sew- 
ing in  the  next  room,  concluded  to  investigate  it.  An  ex- 
ceedingly interesting  tableau  met  her  sight.  The  little 
child  had  wandered  into  the  land  of  dreams  with  a  smile 
on  his  face.  He  lay  with  one  of  his  little  hands  buried  in 
both  of  Uncle  Remus's,  while  the  old  man  himself  was  fast 
asleep,  with  his  head  thrown  back  and  his  mouth  wide  open. 
"  Miss  Sally  "  shook  him  by  the  shoulder  and  held  up  her 
finger  to  prevent  him  from  speaking.  He  was  quiet  until 
she  held  the  lamp  for  him  to  get  down  the  back  steps,  and 
then  she  heard  him  say,  in  an  indignantly  mortified  tone  : 

"Now  den,  Miss  Sally'll  be  a-riggin'  me  'bout  noddin', 
but  stidder  dat  she  better  be  glad  dat  I  aint  bus  loose  en 
sno'  en  'larm  de  house  —  let  'lone  dat  sick  baby.  Dat's 
w'at  I  " 


XVIII. 

A  DEE  AM  AND  A  STORY. 

"I  DREAMED  all  about  Brother  Fox  and  Brother  Rabbit 
last  night,  Uncle  Remus,"  exclaimed  the  little  boy  when 
the  old  man  came  in  after  supper  and  took  his  seat  by  the 
side  of  the  trundle-bed  ;  "  I  dreamed  that  Brother  Fox  had 
wings  and  tried  to  catch  Brother  Rabbit  by  flying  after 
him." 

"  I  don't  'spute  it,  honey,  dat  I  don't ! "  replied  the  old 


96  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS 

man,  in  a  tone  which  implied  that  he  was  quite  prepared 
to  believe  the  dream  itself  was  true.  "Manys  en  manys 
de  time,  deze  long  nights  en  deze  rainy  spells,  dat  I  sets 
down  dar  in  my  house  over  ag'in  de  chimbley-jam  —  I  sets 
dar  en  I  dozes,  en  it  seem  lak  dat  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he'll 
stick  he  head  in  de  crack  er  de  do'  en  see  my  eye  periently 
shot,  en  den  he'll  beckon  back  at  de  yuther  creeturs,  en  den 
dey'll  all  come  slippin'  in  on  der  tip-toes,  en  dey'll  set  dar 
en  run  over  de  ole  times  wid  one  er  ri'er,  en  crack  der  jokes 
same  ez  dey  useter.  En  den  ag'in,"  continued  the  old  man, 
shutting  his  eyes  and  giving  to  his  voice  a  gruesome  in- 
tonation quite  impossible  to  describe,  —  "  en  den  ag'in  hit 
look  lak  dat  Brer  Rabbit'll  gin  de  wink  all  'roun',  en  den 
dey'll  tu'n  in  en  git  up  a  reg'lar  juberlee.  Brer  Rabbit, 
he'll  retch  up  en  take  down  de  trivet,  en  Brer  Fox,  he'll 
snatch  up  de  griddle,  en  Brer  B'ar,  he'll  lay  holt  er  de 
pot-hooks,  en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he'll  grab  up  de  fryin'- 
pan,  en  dar  dey'll  have  it,  up  en  down,  en  'roun'  en  'roun'. 
Hit  seem  like  ter  me  dat  ef  I  kin  git  my  mine  smoove 
down  en  ketch  up  some  er  dem  ar  chunes  w'at  dey  sets  dar 
en  plays,  den  I'd  lean  back  yer  in  dish  yer  cheer  en  I'd 
intrance  you  wid  urn,  twel,  by  dis  time  termorrer  night, 
you'd  be  settin'  up  dar  at  de  supper-table  'sputin'  'longer 
yo'  little  brer  'bout  de  'lasses  pitcher.  Dem  creeturs  dey 
sets  dar,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "en  dey  plays  dem 
kinder  chunes  w'at  moves  you  fum  'way  back  yander ;  en 
manys  de  time  w'en  I  gits  lonesome  kaze  dey  aint  nobody 
year  um  'ceppin'  it's  me.  Dey  aint  no  tellin'  de  chimes 
dey  is  in  dat  trivet,  en  in  dat  griddle,  en  in  dat  fryin'-pan 


A  DEE  AM  AND   A   STORY.  97 

er  mine ;  dat  dey  aint.  Wen  dem  creeturs  walks  in  en 
snatches  um  down,  dey  lays  Miss  Sally's  planner  in  de 
shade,  en  Mars  John's  flute,  hit  aint  no-whars." 

"Do  they  play  on  them  just  like  a  band,  Uncle  Remus  ?" 
inquired  the  little  boy,  who  was  secretly  in  hopes  that  the 
illusion  would  not  be  destroyed. 

"  Dey  comes  des  lak  I  tell  you,  honey.  Wen  I  shets 
my  eyes  en  dozes,  dey  comes  en  dey  plays,  but  w'en  I 
opens  my  eyes  dey  aint  dar.  Now,  den,  w'en  dat's  de 
shape  er  marters,  w'at  duz  I  do?  I  des  shets  my  eyes  en 
hoi'  um  shot,  en  let  um  come  en  play  dem  ole  time  chunes 
tvvel  long  atter  bed-time  done  come  en  gone." 

Uncle  Remus  paused,  as  though  he  expected  the  little 
boy  to  ask  some  question  or  make  some  comment,  but  the 
child  said  nothing,  and  presently  the  old  man  resumed,  in 
a  matter-of-fact  tone : 

"  Dat  dream  er  yone,  honey,  'bout  Brer  Fox  wid  wings, 
fetches  up  de  time  w'en  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf  had  der 
fallin'  out  wid  one  er  n'er — but  I  speck  I  done  tole  you 
'bout  dat." 

"  Oh,  no,  you  haven't,  Uncle  Remus  !  You  know  you 
haven't !  "  the  little  boy  exclaimed. 

"  Well,  den,  one  day,  atter  so  long  a  time,  Brer  Wolf 
en  Brer  Fox  dey  got  ter  'sputin'  'longer  one  er  n'er.  Brer 
Wolf,  he  tuck'n  'buse  Brer  Fox  kaze  Brer  Fox  let  Brer 
Rabbit  fool  'im,  en  deii  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  quol  back  at 
Brer  Wolf,  kaze  Brer  Wolf  let  ole  man  Rabbit  lakwise 
fool  'im.  Dey  keep  on  'sputin'  en  'sputin',  twel  bimeby 
dey  clinch,  en  Brer  Wolf  bein'  de  bigges'  man,  't wouldn't 


98  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

a  bin  long  To'  he'd  a  wool  Brer  Fox,  but  Brer  Fox,  he 
watch  he  chance,  he  did,  en  he  gin  'im  leg  bail." 

"  Gave  him  what,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 

w  Gin  'im  leg  bail,  honey.  He  juk  loose  fum  Brer 
Wolf,  Brer  Fox  did,  en,  gentermens,  he  des  mosey  thoo 
de  woods.  Brer  Wolf,  he  tuck  atter'm,  he  did,  en  dar 
dey  had  it,  en  Brer  Wolf  push  Brer  Fox  so  close,  dat  de 
onliest  way  Brer  Fox  kin  save  he  hide  is  ter  fine  a  hole 
some'rs,  en  de  fus  holler  tree  dat  he  come  'cross,  inter  it 
he  dove.  Brer  Wolf  fetcht  a  grab  at  'im,  but  he  wuz  des 
in  time  fer  ter  be  too  late. 

"  Den  Brer  Wolf,  he  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  he  study  en 
study  how  he  gwine  git  Brer  Fox  out,  en  Brer  Fox,  he 
lay  in  dar,  he  did,  en  he  study  en  study  w'at  Brer  Wolf 
gwine  do.  Bimeby,  Brer  Wolf,  he  tuck'n  gedder  up  a 
whole  lot  er  chunks,  en  rocks,  en  sticks,  en  den  he  tuck'n 
fill  up  de  hole  whar  Brer  Fox  went  in  so  Brer  Fox  can't 
git  out.  W'iles  dis  wuz  gwine  on,  ole  Brer  Tukky  Buzzud, 
he  wuz  sailin'  'roun'  'way  up  in  de  elements,  wid  he  eye 
peel  fer  bizness,  en  'twan't  long  'fo'  he  glance  lit  on  Brer 
Wolf,  en  he  'low  ter  hisse'f,  sezee  : 

"I'll  des  sorter  flop  down,'  sezee,  'en  look  inter  dis, 
kase  ef  Brer  Wolf  hidin'  he  dinner  dar  wid  de  expeck'- 
shun  er  findin'  it  dar  w'en  he  come  back,  den  he  done 
gone  en  put  it  in  de  wrong  place,'  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat  ole  Brer  Tukky  Buzzud,  he  flop  down  en 
sail  'roun'  nigher,  en  he  soon  see  dat  Brer  Wolf  aint 
hidin'  no  dinner.  Den  he  flop  down  furder,  ole  Brer 
Buzzud  did,  twel  he  lit  on  de  top  er  de  holler  tree.  Brer 


A  DREAM  AND  A   STORY.  99 

Wolf,  he  done  kotch  a  glimpse  er  ole  Brer  Buzzud  shad- 
der,  but  he  keep  on  puttin'  chunks  en  rocks  in  de  holler. 
Den,  presently,  Brer  Buzzud,  he  open  up  : 

" '  Wat  you  doin'  dar,  Brer  Wolf?  ' 
r '  Makin'  a  toom-stone,  Brer  Buzzud.' 

"  Co'se  Brer  Buzzud  sorter  feel  like  he  got  intruss  in 
marters  like  dis,  en  he  holler  back : 

"  '  Who  dead  now,  Brer  Wolf? ' 

'  Wunner  yo'  'quaintance,  w'ich  he  name  Brer  Fox, 
Brer  Buzzud.' 

" '  W'en  he  die,  Brer  Wolf? ' 

f '  He  aint  dead  yit,  but  he  won't  las'  long  in  yer,  Brer 
Buzzud.' 

"Brer  Wolf,  he  keep  on,  he  did,  twel  he  done  stop  up 
de  hole  good,  en  den  he  bresh  de  trash  off 'n  his  cloze,  en 
put  out  fer  home.  Brer  Tukky  Buzzud,  he  sot  up  dar, 
he  did,  en  ontankle  his  tail  fedders,  en  lissen  en  lissen, 
but  Brer  Fox,  he  keep  dark,  en  Brer  Buzzud  aint  year 
nuthin'.  Den  Brer  Buzzud,  he  flop  he  wings  en  sail 
away. 

"  Bimeby,  nex'  day,  bright  en  early,  yer  he  come  back, 
en  he  sail  all  'roun'  en  'roun'  de  tree,  but  Brer  Fox  he  lay 
low  en  keep  dark,  en  Brer  Buzzud  aint  year  nuthin'. 
Atter  w'ile,  Brer  Buzzud  he  sail  'roun'  ag'in,  en  dis  time 
he  sing,  en  de  song  w'at  he  sing  is  dish  yer : 

"  '  Boo,  boo,  boo,  my  filler-mer-loo, 
Man  out  yer  wid  news  fer  you  ! ' 

"  Den  he  sail  all  'roun'  en  'roun'  n'er  time  en  listen,  en  bime- 
by  he  year  Brer  Fox  sing  back : 


100  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  '  Go  'way,  go  'way,  my  little  jug  er  beer, 
De  news  you  bring,  lyeard  las'  year.' 

"  Beer,  Uncle  Remus  ?  What  kind  of  beer  did  they 
have  then?"  the  little  boy  inquired. 

"Now,  den,  honey,  youer  gittin'  me  up  in  a  close  corn- 
der,"  responded  the  old  man,  in  an  unusually  serious  tone. 
"Beer  is  de  way  de  tale  runs,  but  w'at  kinder  beer  it 
moughter  bin  aint  come  down  ter  me  —  en  yit  hit  seem 
lak  I  year  talk  some'rs  dat  dish  yer  beer  wus  mos'  prins'- 
ply  'simmon  beer." 

This  seemed  to  satisfy  the  small  but  exacting  audience, 
and  Uncle  Remus  continued  : 

"  So,  den,  w'en  Brer  Buzzud  year  Brer  Fox  sing  back, 
he  'low  he  aint  dead,  en  wid  dat,  Brer  Buzzud,  he  sail 
off  en  'ten'  ter  he  yuther  business.  Nex'  day  back  he 
come,  en  Brer  Fox,  he  sing  back,  he  did,  des  ez  lively  ez 
a  cricket  in  de  ashes,  en  it  keep  on  dis  way  twel  Brer 
Fox  stomach  'gun  ter  pinch  him,  en  den  he  know  dat 
he.  gotter  study  up  some  kinder  plans  fer  ter  git  out  fum 
dar.  N'er  day  pass,  en  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  lay  low,  en 
it  keep  on  dat  away  twel  hit  look  like  ter  Brer  Fox,  pent 
up  in  dar,  dat  he  mus'  sholy  pe'sh.  Las',  one  day  Brer 
Buzzud  come  sailin'  all  'roun'  en  'roun'  wid  dat 

"  '  Boo,  boo,  boo,  my  Jlller-mer-loo,' 

but  Brer  Fox,  he  keep  dark,  en  Brer  Buzzud,  he  tuck'n 
spishun  dat  Brer  Fox  wuz  done  dead.  Brer  Buzzud,  he 
keep  on  singin',  en  Brer  Fox  he  keep  on  layin  low,  twel 
bimeby  Brer  Buzzud  lit  en  'gun  ter  cle'r  'way  de  trash  en 


THE   MOON  IN  THE  MlLL-FONi). 

truck  fum  de  holler.  He  hop  up,  he  did,  en  tuck  out  one 
chunk,  en  den  he  hop  back  en  lissen,  but  Brer  Fox  stay 
still.  Den  Brer  Buzzud  hop  up  en  tuck  out  n'er  chunk, 
en  den  hop  back  en  lissen,  en  all  dis  time  Brer  Fox  mouf 
'uz  waterin'  w'iles  he  lay  back  in  dar  en  des  natally  honed 
atter  Brer  Buzzud.  Hit  went  on  dis  away,  twel  des  'fo' 
he  got  de  hole  unkivvud,  Brer  Fox,  he  break  out  he  did, 
en  grab  Brer  Buzzud  by  de  back  er  de  neck.  Dey  wuz 
a  kinder  scuffle  mongs'  um,  but  'twan't  fer  long,  en  dat 
wuz  de  las'  er  ole  Brer  Tukky  Buzzud." 


XIX. 

THE  MOON  IN  THE   MILL-POND. 

ONE  night  when  the  little  boy  made  his  usual  visit  to 
Uncle  Remus,  he  found  the  old  man  sitting  up  in  his 
chair  fast  asleep.  The  child  said  nothing.  He  was 
prepared  to  exercise  a  good  deal  of  patience  upon  occa- 
sion, and  the  occasion  was  when  he  wanted  to  hear  a  story. 
But,  in  making  himself  comfortable,  he  aroused  Uncle 
Remus  from  his  nap. 

"  I  let  you  know,  honey,"  said  the  old  man,  adjusting 
his  spectacles,  and  laughing  rather  sheepishly, — "I  let  you 
know,  honey,  w'en  I  git's  my  head  r'ar'd  back  dat  away, 
en  my  eyeleds  shot,  en  my  mouf  open,  en  my  chin  p'intin' 
at  de  rafters,  den  dey's  some  mighty  quare  gwines  on  in 


J$H   UNCLE    REMUS. 

my  mm\  Dey  is  dat,  des  ez  sho  ez  youer  settin'  dar. 
Wen  I  fus  year  you  comiii'  down  de  paf,"  Uncle  Remus 
continued,  rubbing  his  beard  thoughtfully,  "I  'uz  sorter 
fear'd  you  mought  'spicion  dat  I  done  gone  off  on  my 
journeys  fer  ter  see  ole  man  Nod." 

This  was  accompanied  by  a  glance  of  inquiry,  to  which 
the  little  boy  thought  it  best  to  respond. 

"Well,  Uncle  Eemus,"  he  said,  "I  did  think  I  heard 
you  snoring  when  I  came  in." 

"Now  you  see  dat !  "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  in  a  tone 
of  grieved  astonishment ;  "  you  see  dat !  Man  can't  lean 
hisse'f  'pun  his  'membunce,  'ceppin'  dey's  some  un  fer  ter 
come  high-primin'  roun'  en  'lowin'  dat  he  done  gone  ter 
sleep.  Shoo  !  Wen  you  stept  in  dat  do'  dar  I  'uz  right 
in  'mungs  some  mighty  quare  notions  —  mighty  quare 
notions.  Dey  aint  no  two  ways  ;  ef  I  'uz  ter  up  en  let 
on  'bout  all  de  notions  w'at  I  gits  in  'mungs,  folks  'ud 
hatter  come  en  kyar  me  off  ter  de  place  whar  dey  puts 
'stracted  people. 

"  Atter  I  sop  up  my  supper,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on, 
"  I  tuck'n  year  some  flutterments  up  dar  'mungs  de  rafters, 
en  I  look  up,  en  dar  wuz  a  Bat  sailin'  'roun'.  'Roun'  en 
roun',  en  'roun'  she  go  — und'  de  rafters,  'bove  de  rafters 
—  en  ez  she  sail  she  make  noise  lak  she  grittin'  'er  toofies. 
Now,  w'at  dat  Bat  atter,  I  be  bless  ef  I  kin  tell  you,  but 
dar  she  wuz ;  'roun'  en  'roun',  over  en  under.  I  ax  'er 
w'at  do  she  want  up  dar,  but  she  aint  got  no  time  fer  ter 
tell ;  'roun'  en  'roun',  en  over  en  under.  En  bimeby,  out 
she  flip,  en  I  boun'  she  grittin'  'er  toofies  en  gwine  'roun' 


THE    MOON    IN    THE    MILL-POND.  103 

en  'roun'  out  dar,  en  dodgin'  en  flippin'  des  lak  de  elements 
wuz  full  er  rafters  en  cobwebs. 

"  Wen  she  flip  out  I  le'nt  my  head  back,  I  did,  en 
'twa'nt  no  time  To'  I  git  mix  urj  wid  my  notions.  Dat 
Bat  wings  so  limber  en  'er  will  so  good  dat  she  done  done 
'er  day's  work  dar  'fo'  you  could  'er  run  ter  de  big  house 
en  back.  De  Bat  put  me  in  min'  er  folks,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  settling  himself  back  in  his  chair,  "  en  folks 
put  me  in  min'  er  de  creeturs." 

Immediately  the  little  boy  was  all  attention. 

"  Dey  wuz  times,"  said  the  old  man,  with  something 
like  a  sigh,  "  w'en  de  creeturs  'ud  segashuate  tergedder 
des  like  dey  aint  had  no  fallin'  out.  Dem  wuz  de  times 
w'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  'ud  'ten'  lak  he  gwine  quit  he  'hav- 
ishness,  en  dey'd  all  go  'roun'  des  lak  dey  b'long  ter  de 
same  fambly  connexion. 

"One  time  atter  dey  bin  gwine  in  cohoots  dis  away, 
Brer  Rabbit  'gun  ter  feel  his  fat,  he  did,  en  dis  make  'im 
git  projecky  terreckly.  De  ino'  peace  w'at  dey  had,  de 
mo'  wuss  Brer  Rabbit  feel,  twel  bimeby  he  git  restless  in 
de  min'.  Wen  de  sun  shine  he'd  go  en  lay  off  in  de 
grass  en  kick  at  de  gnats,  en  nibble  at  de  mullen  stalk  en 
waller  in  de  san'.  One  night  atter  supper,  w'iles  he  'uz 
romancin'  'roun',  he  run  up  wid  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  en 
atter  dey  shuck  ban's  dey  sot  down  on  de  side  er  de  road 
en  run  on  'bout  ole  times.  Dey  talk  en  dey  talk,  dey 
did,  en  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  s*ay  it  done  come  ter  dat  pass 
whar  he  bleedz  ter  have  some  fun,  en  Brer  Tarrypin  'low 
dat  Brer  Rabbit  des  de  ve'y  man  he  bin  lookin  fer. 


104  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"'Well  den,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'we'll  des  put 
Brer  Fox,  en  Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer  B'ar  on  notice,  en  ter- 
morrer  night  we'll  meet  down  by  de  mill-pon'  en  have  a 
little  fishin'  frolic.  I'll  do  de  talkin','  sez  Brer  Rabbit, 
sezee,  r  en  you  kin  set  back  en  say  yea,  sezee. 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  laugh. 

e '  Ef  I  aint  dar,'  sezee,  '  den  you  may  know  de  grass- 
hopper done  fly  'way  wid  me,'  sezee. 

f '  En  you  neenter  bring  no  fiddle,  n'er,'  sez  Brer  Rab- 
bit, sezee,  '  kaze  dey  aint  gwineter  be  no  dancin'  dar,' 
sezee. 

"  Wid  dat,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "Brer  Rabbit  put 
out  fer  home,  en  went  ter  bed,  en  Brer  Tarrypin  bruise 
'roun'  en  make  his  way  todes  de  place  so  he  kin  be  dar 
'gin  'de  'p'inted  time. 

"  Nex'  day  Brer  Rabbit  sont  wud  ter  de  yuther  cree- 
turs,  en  dey  all  make  great  'miration,  kaze  dey  aint  think 
'bout  dis  deyse'f.  Brer  Fox,  he  'low,  he  did,  dat  he 
gwine  atter  Miss  Meadows  en  Miss  Motts,  en  de  yuther 
gals. 

"  Sho  nuff,  w'en  de  time  come  dey  wuz  all  dar.  Brer 
B'ar,  he  fotch  a  hook  en  line ;  Brer  Wolf,  he  fotch  a  hook 
en  line  ;  Brer  Fox,  he  fotch  a  dip-net,  en  Brer  Tarrypin, 
not  ter  be  outdone,  he  fotch  de  bait." 

"  What  did  Miss  Meadows  and  Miss  Motts  bring  ?  "  the 
little  boy  asked. 

Uncle  Remus  dropped  his  head  slightly  to  one  side. 
and  looked  over  his  spectacles  at  the  little  boy. 

"  Miss  Meadows  en  Miss  Motts,"  he  continued,  "  dey 


THE    MOON    IN    THE    MILL-POND.  105 

tuck'n  stan'  way  back  fum  de  aidge  er  de  pon'  en  squeal 
eve'y  time  Brer  Tarry  pin  shuck  de  box  er  bait  at  um. 
Brer  B'ar  'low  he  gwine  ter  fish  fer  mud-cats ;  Ber 
Wolf  'low  he  gwine  ter  fish  fer  horneyheads  ;  Brer  Fox 
'low  he  gwine  ter  fish  fer  peerch  fer  de  ladies  ;  Brer  Tar- 
rypin  'low  he  gwine  ter  fish  fer  minners,  en  Brer  Kabbit 
wink  at  Brer  Tarrypin'  en  'low  he  gwine  ter  fish  fer 
suckers. 

"Dey  all  git  ready,  dey  did,  en  Brer  Rabbit  march  up 
ter  de  pon'  en  make  fer  ter  th'ow  he  hook  in  de  water, 
but  des  'bout  dat  time  hit  seem  lak  he  see  sump'n.  De 
t'er  creeturs,  dey  stop  en  watch  his  motions.  Brer  Rab- 
bit, he  drap  he  pole,  he  did,  en  he  stan'  dar  scratchin'  he 
head  en  lookin'  down  in  de  water. 

"  De  gals  dey  'gun  ter  git  oneasy  w'en  dey  see  dis,  en 
Miss  Meadows,  she  up  en  holler  out,  she  did : 

'  Law,    Brer  Rabbit,   w'at  de  name  er  goodness    de 
marter  in  dar  ?  ' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  scratch  he  head  en  look  in  de  water. 
Miss  Motts,  she  hilt  up  'er  petticoats,  she  did,  en  'low 
she  monstus  fear'd  er  snakes.  Brer  Rabbit  keep  on 
scratchin'  en  lookin'. 

"  Bimeby  he  fetch  a  long  bref,  he  did,  en  he  'low  : 

r  *  Ladies  en  gentermuns  all,  we  des  might  ez  well 
make  tracks  fum  dish  yer  place,  kaze  dey  aint  no  fishin' 
iu  dat  pon'  for  none  er  dish  yer  crowd.' 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  scramble  up  ter  de  aidge 
en  look  over,  en  he  shake  he  head,  and  'low : 


106  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

" '  Tooby  sho'  —  tooby  sho' !  Tut-tut-tut ! '  en  den  he 
crawl  back,  he  did,  en  do  lak  he  wukkin'  he  min'. 

"Don't  be  skeert,  ladies,  kaze  we  er  boun'  ter  take 
keer  un  you,  let  come  w'at  will,  let  go  w'at  mus','  sez 
Brer  Rabbit,  sezee.  '  Accidents  got  ter  happen  unter 
we  all,  des  same  ez  dey  is  unter  yuther  folks ;  en  dey 
aint  nuthin'  much  de  marter,  'ceppin'  dat  de  Moon  done 
drap  in  de  water.  Ef  you  don't  b'leeve  me  you  kin  look 
fer  yo'se'f,'  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat  dey  all  went  ter  de  bank  en  lookt  in ;  en, 
sho  nuff,  dar  lay  de  Moon,  a-swingin'  an'  a-swayin'  at  de 
bottom  er  de  pon'." 

The  little  boy  laughed.  He  had  often  seen  the  reflec- 
tion of  the  sky  in  shallow  pools  of  water,  and  the  start- 
ling depths  that  seemed  to  lie  at  his  feet  had  caused  him 
to  draw  back  with  a  shudder. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  look  in,  he  did,  en  he  'low,  'Well, 
well,  well !'  Brer  Wolf,  he  look  in,  en  he  'low,  r  Mighty 
bad,  mighty  bad ! '  Brer  B'ar,  he  look  in,  en  he  'low, 
'  Turn,  turn,  turn!'  De  ladies  dey  look  in,  en  Miss 
Meadows  she  squall  out,  '  Ain't  dat  too  much  ? '  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  look  in  ag'in,  en  he  up  en  'low,  he  did  : 

r  Ladies  en  gentermuns,  you  all  kin  hum  en  haw, 
but  less'n  we  gits  dat  Moon  out  er  de  pon',  dey  aint  no 
fish  kin  be  ketch  'roun'  yer  dis  night ;  en  ef  you'll  ax 
Brer  Tarrypin,  he'll  tell  you  de  same.' 

"  Den  dey  ax  how  kin  dey  git  de  Moon  out  er  dar,  en 
Brer  Tarrypin  'low  dey  better  lef  dat  wid  Brer  Rabbit. 


THE    MOON    IN    THE    MILL-POND.  107 

Brer  Rabbit  he  shot  he  eyes,  he  did,  en  make  lak   he 
wukkin  he  min'.     Bimeby,  he  up'n  'low  : 

:f '  De  nighes'  way  out'n  dish  yer  diffikil  is  fer  ter  sen' 
roun'  yer  too  ole  Mr.  Mud-Turkle  en  borry  his  sane,  en 
drag  dar  Moon  up  fum  dar,'  sezee. 

r  '  I  'clar'  ter  gracious  I  mighty  glad  you  mention  dat,' 
says  Brer  Tarrypin,  sezee.  '  Mr.  Mud-Turkle  is  setch 
clos't  kin  ter  me  dat  I  calls  'im  Unk  Muck,  en  I  lay  ef 
you  sen'  dar  atter  dat  sane  you  won't  fine  Unk  Muck  so 
mighty  disaccomerdatinV 

"  Well,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  after  one  of  his  tan- 
talizing pauses,  "deysont  atter  de  sane,  en  wiles  Brer 
Rabbit  wuz  gone,  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  'low  dat  he  done 
year  tell  time  en  time  ag'in  dat  dem  w'at  fine  de  Moon 
in  de  water  en  fetch  'im  out,  lakwise  dey  ull  fetch  out  a 
pot  er  money.  Dis  make  Brer  Fox,  en  Brer  Wolf,  en 
Brer  B'ar  feel  mighty  good,  en  dey  'low,  dey  did,  dat 
long  ez  Brer  Rabbit  been  so  good  ez  ter  run  atter  de 
sane,  dey  ull  do  de  sanein'. 

"  Time  Brer  Rabbit  git  back,  he  see  how  de  Ian'  lay, 
en  he  make  lak  he  wanter  go  in  atter  de  Moon.  He  pull 
off  he  coat,  en  he  'uz  fixin'  fer  ter  shuck  he  wescut,  but 
de  yuther  creeturs  dey  'low  dey  wan't  gwine  ter  let  dry- 
foot  man  lak  Brer  Rabbit  go  in  de  water.  So  Brer  Fox, 
he  tuck  holt  er  one  staff  er  de  sane,  Brer  Wolf  he  tuck 
holt  er  de  yuther  staff,  en  Brer  B'ar  he  wade'  long  behime 
fer  ter  lif  de  sane  'cross  logs  en  snags. 

"  Dey  make  one  haul —  no  Moon  ;  n'er  haul  -*»-  no  Moon  ; 
n'er  haul — no  Moon.  Pen  bimeby  dey  git  out  furder 


108  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

fum  de  bank.  Water  run  in  Brer  Fox  year,  he  shake  he 
head ;  water  run  in  Brer  Wolf  year,  he  shake  he  head ; 
water  run  in  Brer  B'ar  year,  he  shake  he  head.  En  de 
fus  news  you  know,  whiles  dey  wuz  a-shakin',  dey  come 
to  whar  de  bottom  shelfed  off.  Brer  Fox  he  step  off  en 
duck  hisse'f;  den  Brer  Wolf  duck  hisse'f ;  en  Brer  B'ar 
he  make  a  splunge  en  duck  hisse'f;  en,  bless  gracious, 
dey  kick  en  splatter  twel  it  look  lak  dey  'uz  gwine  ter 
slosh  all  de  water  outer  de  mill  pon'. 

"  W'en  dey  come  out,  de  gals  'uz  all  a-snickerin'  en  a- 
gigglin',  en  dey  well  mought,  'kase  go  whar  you  would, 
dey  want  no  wuss  lookin'  creeturs  dan  dem ;  en  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  holler,  sezee  : 

"I  speck  you  all,  gents,  better  go  home  en  git  some 
dry  duds,  en  n'er  time  we'll  be  in  better  luck,'  sezee.  '  I 
hear  talk  dat  de  Moon'll  bite  at  a  hook  ef  you  take  fools 
fer  baits,  en  I  lay  dat's  de  onliest  way  fer  ter  ketch  'er,' 
sezee. 

"  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf  en  Brer  B'ar  went  drippin' 
off,  en  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarrypin,dey  went  home  wid 
de  gals." 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  SOME  EXERCISE.   109 

XX. 

BROTHER    RABBIT    TAKES    SOME    EXERCISE. 

ONE  night  while  the  little  boy  was  sitting  in  Uncle 
Remus's  cabin,  waiting  for  the  old  man  to  finish  his  hoe- 
cake,  and  refresh  his  memory  as  to  the  further  adventures 
of  Brother  Rabbit,  his  friends  and  his  enemies,  some- 
thing dropped  upon  the  top  of  the  house  with  a  noise 
like  the  crack  of  a  pistol.  The  little  boy  jumped,  but 
Uncle  Remus  looked  up  and  exclaimed,  "  Ah-yi !  "  in  a 
tone  of  triumph. 

"What  was  that,  Uncle  Remus?"  the  child  asked, 
after  waiting  a  moment  to  see  what  else  would  happen. 

"  News  fum  Jack  Fros',  honey.  W'en  dat  hick'y-nut 
tree  out  dar  year  'im  comin'  she  'gins  ter  drap  w'at  she 
got.  I  mighty  glad,"  he  continued,  scraping  the  burnt 
crust  from  his  hoe-cake  with  an  old  case-knife,  "  I  mighty 
glad  hick'y-nuts  aint  big  en  heavy  ez  grinestones." 

He  waited  a  moment  to  see  what  effect  this  queer  state- 
ment would  have  on  the  child. 

"  Y.asser,  I  mighty  glad  —  dat  I  is.  'Kase  of  hick'y- 
nuts  'uz  big  ez  grine-stones  dish  yer  ole  callyboose  'ud  be 
a  leakin'  long  'fo'  Chris'mus." 

Just  then  another  hickory-nut  dropped  upon  the  roof, 
and  the  little  boy  jumped  again.  This  seemed  to  amuse 
Uncle  Remus,  and  he  laughed  until  he  was  near  to  chok- 
ing himself  with  his  smoking  hoe-cake. 


110  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"You  does  des  'zackly  lak  ole  Brer  .Rabbit  done,  I 
'clar'  to  gracious  ef  you  don't !  "  the  old  man  cried,  as 
soon  as  he  could  get  his  breath ;  "  dez  zackly  fer  de 
worl'." 

The  child  was  immensely  flattered,  and  at  once  he 
wanted  to  know  how  Brother  Rabbit  did.  Uncle  Remut- 
was  in  such  good  humor  that  he  needed  no  coaxing.  He 
pushed  his  spectacles  back  on  his  forehead,  wiped  his 
mouth  on  his  sleeve,  and  began : 

"  Hit  come  'bout  dat  soon  one  mawnin'  todes  de  fall  er 
de  year,  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  stirrin'  'roun'  in  de  woods  atter 
some  bergamot  fer  ter  make  'im  some  h'ar-grease.  De 
win'  blow  so  col'  dat  it  make  'im  feel  right  frisky,  en 
eve'y  time  he  year  de  bushes  rattle  he  make  lak  he 
skeerd.  He  'uz  gwine  on  dis  away,  hoppity-skippity, 
w'en  bimeby  he  year  Mr.  Man  cuttin'  on  a  tree  way  off 
in  de  woods.  He  fotch  up,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  lissen 
fus  wid  one  year  en  den  wid  de  yuther. 

"Man,  he  cut  en  cut,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  lissen  en 
lissen.  Bimeby,  w'iles  all  dis  was  gwine  on,  down  come 
de  tree  —  kubber-lang-bang-blam  1  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
tuck'n  jump  des  lak  you  jump,  en  let  'lone  dat,  he  make 
a  break,  he  did,  en  he  lipt  out  fum  dar  lak  de  dogs 
wuz  atter  'im." 

"Was  he  scared,  Uncle  Remus?"  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"Skeerd!  Who?  Him?  Shoo  I  don't  you  fret  yo'se'f 
'bout  Brer  Rabbit,  honey.  In  dem  days  dey  want  nothin' 
gwine  dat  kin  skeer  Brer  Rabbit.  Tooby  sho',  he  tuck 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  SOME  EXERCISE.  Ill 

keer  hisse'f,  en  ef  you  know  de  man  w'at  'fuse  ter  take 
keer  hisse'f,  I  lak  mighty  well  ef  you  p'int  'im  out. 
Deed'n  dat  I  would  ! " 

Uncle  Remus  seemed  to  boil  over  with  argumentative 
indignation. 

"  Well,  den,"  he  continued,  "  Brer  Rabbit  run  twel  he 
git  sorter  het  up  like,  en  des  'bout  de  time  he  makin' 
ready  fer  ter  squot  en  ketch  he  win',  who  should  he  meet 
but  Brer  Coon  gwine  home  atter  settin'  up  wid  ole  Brer 
Bull-Frog.  Brer  Coon  see  'im  runnin',  en  he  hail  'im. 

"  '  W'at  yo'  hurry,  Brer  Kabbit?' 

' '  Aint  got  time  ter  tarry.' 

"' Folks  sick?' 

r '  No,  my  Lord  !     Aint  got  time  ter  tarry  I ' 

"  '  Tryin'  yo'  soopleness  ? ' 

f  '  No,  my  Lord  !     Aint  got  time  ter  tarry  ! ' 

' '  Do  pray,  Brer  Rabbit,  tell  me  de  news  !  ' 

1  '  Mighty  big  fuss  back  dar  in  de  woods.  Aint  got 
time  ter  tarry  !  ' 

"  Dis  make  Brer  Coon  feel  mighty  skittish,  'kaze  he  fur 
ways  from  home,  en  he  des  lipt  out,  he  did,  en  went  a 
b'ilin'  thoo  de  woods.  Brer  Coon  aint  gone  fur  twel  he 
meet  Brer  Fox. 

' '  Hey,  Brer  Coon,  whar  you  gwine  ? ' 

' '  Aint  got  time  ter  tarry  !  ' 

"  '  Gwine  at'  de  doctor  ?  ' 

' '  No,  my  Lord  !     Aint  got  time  ter  tarry. 

"Do  pray,  Brer  Coon,  tell  me  de  news.' 


112  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE   REMUS. 

" '  Mighty  quare  racket  back  dar  in  de  woods  !  Aint 
got  time  ter  tarry  ! ' 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Fox  lipt  out,  he  did,  en  fa'rly  split 
de  win'.  He  aint  gone  fur  twel  he  meet  Brer  Wolf. 

"  '  Hey,  Brer  Fox  !     Stop  en  res'  yo'se'f ! ' 

"  '  Aint  got  time  ter  tarry  I ' 

" '  Who  bin  want  de  doctor?' 

"  '  No'ne,  my  Lord  !     Aint  got  time  ter  tarry  !  * 

" '  Do  pray,  Brer  Fox,  good  er  bad,  tell  me  de  news.' 

"  '  Mighty  kuse  fuss  back  dar  in  de  woods  !  Aint  got 
time  ter  tarry  ! ' 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Wolf  shuck  hisse'f  loose  fum  de  face 
er  de  yeth,  an  he  aint  git  fur  twel  he  meet  Brer  B'ar. 
Brer  B'ar  he  ax,  en  Brer  Wolf  make  ans'er,  en  bimeby 
Brer  B'ar  he  fotch  a  snort  en  runn'doff ;  en,  bless  gracious  ! 
twant  long  'fo'  de  las'  one  er  de  creeturs  wuz  a  skaddlin' 
thoo  de  woods  lak  de  Ole  Boy  was  atter  um  —  en  all  'kaze 
Brer  Rabbit  year  Mr.  Man  cut  tree  down. 

"Dey  run'd  en  dey  run'd,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on, 
"  twel  dey  come  ter  Brer  Tarrypin  house,  en  dey  sorter 
slack  up  'kaze  dey  done  mighty  nigh  los'  der  win'.  Brer 
Tarrypin,  he  up'n  ax  um  wharbouts  dey  gwine,  en  dey 
'low  dey  wuz  a  monstus  tarryfyin'  racket  back  dar  in  de 
wroods.  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  ax  w'at  she  soun'  lak.  One 
say  he  dunno,  n'er  say  he  dunno,  den  dey  all  say  dey 
dunno.  Den  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  up'n  ax  who  year  dis 
monstus  racket.  One  say  he  dunno,  n'er  say  he  dunno, 
den  dey  all  say  dey  dunno.  Dis  make  ole  Brer  Tarrypin 
laff  'way  down  in  he  insides,  en  he  up'n  say,  sezee  : 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  SOME  EXERCISE.   113 

'You  all  kin  run  'long  ef  you  feel  skittish,'  sezee. 
'  Atter  I  cook  my  brekkus  en  wash  up  de  dishes,  ef  I  gits 
win'  er  any  'spicious  racket  maybe  I  mought  take  down  my 
pairsol  en  foller  long  atter  you,'  sezee. 

"  Wen  de  creeturs  come  ter  make  inquirements  'mungs 
one  er  n'er  'bout  who  start  de  news,  hit  went  right  spang 
back  ter  Brer  Rabbit,  but,  lo  en  beholes  !  Brer  Rabbit 
aint  dar,  en  it  tu'n  out  dat  Brer  Coon  is  de  man  w'at  seed 
'im  las'.  Den  dey  got  ter  layin'  de  blame  un  it  on  one  er 
n'er,  en  little  mo'  en  dey'd  er  fit  dar  scan'lous,  .but  ole 
Brer  Tarrypin,  he  up'n  'low  dat  ef  dey  want  ter  git  de 
straight  un  it,  dey  better  go  see  Brer  Rabbit. 

"All  de  creeturs  wuz  'gree'ble,  en  dey  put  out  ter  Brer 
Rabbit  house.  Wen  dey  git  dar,  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  a-settin' 
cross-legged  in  de  front  po'ch  winkin'  he  eye  at  de  sun. 
Brer  B'ar,  he  speak  up  : 

" '  W'at  make  you  fool  me,  Brer  Rabbit? ' 

'"  Fool  who,  Brer  B'ar?' 

"  '  Me,  Brer  Rabbit,  dat's  who.' 

' '  Dish  yer  de  fus'  time  I  seed  you  dis  day,  Brer  B'ar, 
en  you  er  mo'  dan  welcome  ter  dat.' 

"  Dey  all  ax  'im  en  git  de  same  ans'er,  en  den  Brer 
Coon  put  in : 

"  '  W'at  make  you  fool  me,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

"  '  How  I  fool  you,  Brer  Coon  ?  ' 
f  You  make  lak  dey  wuz  a  big  racket,  Brer  Rabbit.' 
'  *  Dey  sholy  wuz  a  big  racket,  Brer  Coon 

«  '  Wat  kinder  racket,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 
f '  Ah-yi!     You  oughter  ax  me  dat  fus',  Brer  Coon.' 


114  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

' ?  I  axes  you  now,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

r  '  Mr.  Man  cut  tree  down,  Brer  Coon.' 

"  'Co'se  dis  make  Brer  Coon  feel  like  a  nat'al-born  Slink, 
en  'twa'n't  long  'fo'  all  de  creeturs  make  der  bow  ter  Brer 
Rabbit  en  mozey  off  home." 

"  Brother  Rabbit  had  the  best  of  it  all  along,"  said  the 
little  boy,  after  waiting  to  see  whether  there  was  a  sequel 
to  the  story. 

"  Oh,  he  did  dat  away ! "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus. 
w  Brer  Rabbit  was  a  mighty  man  in  dem  days." 


XXI. 

WHY  BROTHER  BEAR  HAS  NO  TAIL. 

"I  'CLAR'  ter  gracious,  honey,"  Uncle  Remus  exclaimed 
one  night,  as  the  little  boy  ran  in,  "  you  sholy  aint  chaw'd 
yo'  vittles.  Hit  aint  bin  no  time,  skacely,  sence  de 
supper-bell  rung,  en  ef  you  go  on  dis  away,  you'll  des 
nat'ally  pe'sh  yo'se'f  out." 

"  Oh,  I  wasn't  hungry,"  said  the  little  boy.  "  I  had 
something  before  supper,  and  I  wasn't  hungry  anyway." 

The  old  man  looked  keenly  at  the  child,  and  presently 
he  said : 

"  De  ins  en  de  outs  er  dat  kinder  talk  all  come  ter  de 
same  p'int  in  my  min'.  Youer  bin  a-cuttin'  up  at  de  table, 
en  Mars.  John,  he  tuck'n  sont  you  'way  fum  dar,  en  w'iles 


WHY    BROTHER    BEAR    HAS    NO    TAIL.  115 

he  think  youer  off  some'rs  a-snifflin'  en  a-feelin'  bad,  yer 
you  is  a-high-primin'  'roun'  des  lak  you  done  had  mo' 
supper  dan  deKing  er  Philanders." 

Before  the  little  boy  could  inquire  about  the  King  of 
Philanders  he  heard  his  father  calling  him.  He  started  to 
go  out,  but  Uncle  Remus  motioned  him  back. 

"Des  set  right  whar  you  is,  honey, — des  set  right 
still." 

Then  Uncle  Remus  went  to  the  door  and  answered  for 
the  child ;  and  a  very  queer  answer  it  was  —  one  that 
could  be  heard  half  over  the  plantation : 

"  Mars.  John,  I  wish  you  en  Miss  Sally  be  so  good  ez 
ter  let  dat  chile  'lone.  He  down  yer  cry  in'  he  eyes-  out, 
en  he  aint  bodderin'  'long  er  nobody  in  de  roun'  worl'." 

Uncle  Remus  stood  in  the  door  a  moment  to  see  what 
the  reply  would  be,  but  he  heard  none.  Thereupon  he 
continued,  in  the  same  loud  tone  : 

"  I  aint  bin  use  ter  no  sich  gwines  on  in  Ole  Miss  time, 
en  I  aint  gwine  git  use  ter  it  now.  Dat  I  aint." 

Presently  Tildy,  the  house-girl,  brought  the  little  boy  his 
supper,  and  the  girl  was  no  sooner  out  of  hearing  than  the 
child  swapped  it  with  Uncle  Remus  for  a  roasted  yam,  and 
the  enjoyment  of  both  seemed  to  be  complete. 

"  Uncle  Remus,"  said  the  little  boy,  after  a  while,  "you 
know  I  wasn't  crying  just  now." 

"  Dat's  so,  honey,"  the  old  man  replied,  "  but  'twouldn't 
er  bin  long  To'  you  would  er  bin,  kaze  Mars.  John  bawl 
out  lak  a  man  w'at  got  a  strop  in  he  ban',  so  w'at  de 
diff'unce?" 


116  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

When  they  had  finished  eating,  Uncle  Remus  busied 
himself  in  cutting  and  trimming  some  sole-leather  for 
future  use.  His  knife  was  so  keen,  and  the  leather  fell 
away  from  it  so  smoothly  and  easily,  that  the  little  boy 
wanted  to  trim  some  himself.  But  to  this  Uncle  Remus 
would  not  listen. 

'  'Taint  on'y  chilluns  w'at  got  de  cbnsate  er  doin'  eve'y- 
thing  dey  see  yuther  folks  do.  Hit's  grown  folks  w'at 
oughter  know  better,"  said  the  old  man.  "  Dat's  des  de 
way  Brer  B'ar  git  his  tail  broke  off  smick-smack-smoove, 
en  down  ter  dis  day  he  de  funniest-lookin'  creetur  w'at 
wobble  on  top  er  dry  ground." 

Instantly  the  little  boy  forgot  all  about  Uncle  Remus' 
sharp  knife. 

"  Hit  seem  lak  dat  in  dem  days  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer 
Tarrypin  done  gone  in  cohoots  fer  ter  outdo  de  t'er 
creeturs.  One  time  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  make  a  call  on 
Brer  Tarrypin,  but  w'en  he  git  ter  Brer  Tarrypin  house, 
he  year  talk  fum  Miss  Tarrypin  dat  her  ole  man  done  gone 
fer  ter  spen'  de  day  wid  Mr.  Mud-Turkle,  w'ich  dey  wuz 
blood  kin.  Brer  Rabbit  he  put  out  atter  Brer  Tarrypin, 
en  w'en  he  got  ter  Mr.  Mud-Turkle  house,  dey  all  sot  up, 
dey  did,  en  tole  tales,  en  den  w'en  twelf  er'clock  come  dey 
had  crawfish  fer  dinner,  en  dey  'joy  deyse'f  right  erlong. 
Atter  dinner  dey  went  down  ter  Mr.  Mud-Turkle  mill-pon', 
en  w'en  dey  git  dar  Mr.  Mud-Turkle  en  Brer  Tarrypin  dey 
'muse  deyse'f,  dey  did,  wid  slidin'  fum-  de  top  uv  a  big 
elantin'  rock  down  inter  de  water. 


WHY    BROTHER    BEAR    HAS    NO    TAIL.  117 

"I  speck  you  moughter  seen  rocks  in  de  water  To'  now, 
whar  dey  git  green  en  slipp'y,"  said  Uncle  Remus. 

The  little  boy  had  not  only  seen  them,  but  had  found 
them  to  be  very  dangerous  to  walk  upon,  and  the  old  man 
continued : 

"  Well,  den,  dish  yer  rock  wuz  mighty  slick  en  mighty 
slantin'.  Mr.  Mud-Turkle,  he'd  crawl  ter  de  top,  en  tu'n 
loose,  en  go  a-sailin'  down  inter  de  water  —  kersplashl 
Ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he'd  foller  atter,  en  slide  down  inter 
de  water  — kersplashl  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sot  off,  he 
did,  en  praise  um  up. 

"  Wiles  dey  wuz  a-gwine  on  dis  away,  a-havin'  der  fun, 
en  'joyin'  deyse'f,  yer  come  ole  Brer  B'ar.  He  year  um 
'laffin'  en  holl'in',  en  he  hail  'um. 

"  '  Heyo,  folks  !  Wat  all  dis  ?  Ef  my  eye  aint  'ceive 
me,  dish  yer's  Brer  Rabbit,  en  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  old  Unk' 
Tommy  Mud-Turkle,'  sez  Brer  B'ar,  sezee. 

"  De  same,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  en  yer  we  is  'joyin' 
de  day  dat  passes  des  lak  dey  wan't  no  hard  times.' 

f '  Well,  well,  well ! '  sez  ole  Brer  B'ar,  sezee,  'a-slippin' 
en  a-slidin'  en  makin'  free  !  En  w'at  de  matter  wid  Brer 
Rabbit  dat  he  aint  j'inin'  in  ?'  sezee. 

"  Ole  Brer  Rabbit  he  wink  at  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  Brer 
Tarrypin  he  hunch  Mr.  Mud-Turkle,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit 
he  up'n  'low,  he  did  : 

: '  My  goodness,  Brer  B'ar  !  you  can't  'speck  a  man  fer 
ter  slip  en  slide  de  whole  blessid  day,  kin  you  ?  I  done 
had  my  fun,  en  now  I'm  a-settin'  out  yer  lettin'  my  cloze 


118  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

dry.     Hit's  tu'n  en  tu'n  about  wid  me  en  deze  gents  w'en 
dey's  any  fun  gwine  on,'  sezee. 

'  '  Maybe  Brer   B'ar  might  jine  in  wid  us,'  sez  Brer 
Tarrypin,  sezee. 

"Brer  Rabbit  he  des  holler  en  laff. 
( '  Shoo  ! '  sezee,  '  Brer  B'ar  foot  too  big  en  he  tail  too 
long  fer  ter  slide  down  dat  rock,'  sezee. 

"  Dis  kinder  put  Brer  B'ar  on  he  mettle,  en  he  up'n 
'spon',  he  did : 

'* f  Maybe  dey  is,  en  maybe  dey  aint,  yit  I  aint  afeared 
ter  try.' 

"  Wid  dat  de  yuthers  tuck'n  made  way  fer  'im,  en  ole 
Brer  B'ar  he  git  up  on  de  rock,  he  did,  en  squot  down 
on  he  hunkers,  en  quile  he  tail  und'  'im,  en  start  down. 
Fus'  he  go  sorter  slow,  en  he  grin  lak  he  feel  good ;  den 
he  go  sorter  peart,  en  he  grin  lak  he  feel  bad  ;  den  he  go 
mo'  pearter,  en  he  grin  lak  he  skeerd ;  den  he  strack  de 
slick  part,  en,  gentermens  !  he  s waller  de  grin  en  fetch  a 
howl  dat  moughter  bin  yeard  a  mile,  en  he  hit  de  water 
lak  a  chimbly  a-fallin'. 

"You  kin  gimme  denial,"  Uncle  Remus  continued 
after  a  little  pause,  "but  des  ez  sho'  ez  you  er  settin'  dar, 
w'en  Brer  B'ar  slick'd  up  en  flew  down  dat  rock,  he 
break  off  he  tail  right  smick-smack-smoove,  en  mo'n  dat, 
w'en  he  make  his  disappear'nce  up  de  big  road,  Brer 
Rabbit  holler  out : 

" '  Brer  B'ar  !  —  O  Brer  B'ar  !  I  year  tell  dat  flax- 
seed  poultices  is  mighty  good  fer  so'  places  I ' 

"  Yit  Brer  B'ar  ain't  look  back." 


FRIGHTENS    HIS    NEIGHBORS.  119 


XXII. 

HOW    BROTHER    RABBIT    FRIGHTENED     HIS 
NEIGHBORS. 

WHEN  Uncle  Remus  was  in  a  good  humor  he  turned 
the  most  trifling  incidents  into  excuses  for  amusing  the 
little  boy  with  his  stories.  One  night  while  he  was 
hunting  for  a  piece  of  candle  on  the  shelf  that  took  the 
place  of  a  mantel  over  the  fireplace,  he  knocked  down  a 
tin  plate.  It  fell  upon  the  hearth  with  a  tremendous 
clatter. 

"  Dar  now  !  "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus.  "  Hit's  a  bless- 
in'  dat  dat  ar  platter  is  got  mo'  backbone  dan  de  common 
run  er  crockery,  'kaze  'twould  er  bin  bust  all  ter  flindera- 
tions  long  time  ago.  Dat  ar  platter  is  got  dents  on  it 
w'at  Miss  Sally  put  dar  w'en  she  'uz  a  little  bit  er  gal. 
Yet  dar  'tis,  en  right  dis  minnit  hit'll  hoi'  mo'  vittles  dan 
w'at  I  got  ter  put  in  it. 

"I  lay,"  the  old  man  continued,  leaning  his  hand 
against  the  chimney  and  gazing  at  the  little  boy  reflect- 
ively, —  "I  lay  ef  de  creeturs  had  a  bin  yer  w'iles  all  dat 
clatterment  gwine  on  dey'd  a  lef '  bidout  tellin'  anybody 
good  bye.  All  'ceppin'  Brer  Rabbit.  Bless  yo'  soul, 
he'd  er  stayed  fer  ter  see  de  fun,  des  lak  he  did  dat  t'er 
time  w'en  he  skeer  um  all  so.  I  'speck  I  done  tole  you 
'bout  dat." 

"  When  he  got  the  honey  on  him  and  rolled  in  the 
leaves?" 


120  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Uncle  Remus  thought  a  moment. 

"Ef  I  make  no  mistakes  in  my  'membunce,  dat  wuz  de 
time  w'en  he  call  hisse'f  de  Wull-er-de-Wust." 

The  little  boy  corroborated  Uncle  Remus'  memory. 

"  Well,  den,  dish  yer  wuz  n'er  time,  en  he  lak  ter  skeer 
um  plum  out'n  de  settlement.  En  it  all  come  'bout  'kaze 
dey  wanter  play  smarty." 

"  Who  wanted  to  play  smarty,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  asked 
the  child. 

"  Oh,  des  dem  t'er  creeturs.  Dey  wuz  allers  a-layin' 
traps  fer  Brer  Rabbit  en  gittin'  cotch  in  um  deyse'f,  en 
dey  wuz  allers  a-pursooin'  atter  'im  day  in  en  day  out. 
I  aint  'nyin'  but  w'at  some  er  Brer  Rabbit  pranks  wuz 
mighty  ha'sh,  but  w'y'n't  dey  let  'im  'lone  deyse'f?" 

Naturally,  the  little  boy  was  not  prepared  to  meet  these 
arguments,  even  had  their  gravity  been  less  impressive, 
so  he  said  nothing. 

"In  dem  days,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "  de  creeturs 
wuz  same  lak  folks.  Dey  had  der  ups  en  dey  had  der 
downs ;  dey  had  der  hard  times,  and  dey  had  der  saf 
times.  Some  seasons  der  craps  'ud  be  good,  en  some 
seasons  dey'd  be  bad.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  far'd  lak  de  res' 
un  um.  W'at  he'd  make,  dat  he'd  spen'.  One  season 
he  tuck'n  made  a  fine  chance  er  goobers,  en  he  'low,  he 
did,  dat  ef  dey  fetch  'im  anywhars  nigh  de  money  w'at  he 
speck  dey  would,  he  go  ter  town  en  buy  de  truck  w'at 
needcessity  call  fer. 

"  He  aint  no  sooner  say  dat  dan  ole  Miss  Rabbit,  she 
vow,  she  did,  dat  it  be  a  scannul  en  a  shame  ef  he  don't 


FRIGHTENS    HIS    NEIGHBORS. 

whirl  in  en  git  sevin  tin  cups  fer  de  chillims  fer  ter  drink 
out'n,  en  sevin  tin  plates  fer'm  fer  ter  sop  out'n,  en  a 
coffee-pot  fer  de  fambly.  Brer  Rabbit  say  dat  des  zackly 
w'at  he  gwine  do,  en  he  'low,  he  did,  dat  he  gwine  ter 
town  de  comin'  We'n'sday." 

Uncle  Reinus  paused,  and  indulged  in  a  hearty  laugh 
before  he  resumed : 

"  Brer  Rabbit  wa'n't  mo'n  out'n  de  gate  To'  Miss  Rabbit, 
she  slap  on  'er  bonnet,  she  did,  en  rush  'cross  ter  Miss 
Mink  house,  en  she  aint  been  dar  a  minnit  'fo'  she  up'n 
tell  Miss  Mink  dat  Brer  Rabbit  done  promise  ter  go  ter 
town  We'n'sday  comin'  en  git  de  chilluns  sump'n.  Co'se, 
we'n  Mr.  Mink  come  home,  Miss  Mink  she  up'n  'low  she 
want  ter  know  w'at  de  reason  he  can't  buy  sump'n  fer  his 
chilluns  same  ez  Brer  Rabbit  do  fer  his'n,  en  dey  quo'll 
en  quo'll  des  lak  folks.  Atter  dat  Miss  Mink  she  kyar 
de  news  ter  Miss  Fox,  en  den  Brer  Fox  he  tuck'n  got  a 
rakin'  over  de  coals.  Miss  Fox  she  tell  Miss  Wolf,  en 
Miss  Wolf  she  tell  Miss  B'ar,  en  'twant  long  'fo'  ev'ybody 
in  dem  diggins  know  dat  Brer  Rabbit  gwine  ter  town  de 
comin'  We'n'sday  fer  ter  get  his  chilluns  sump'n ;  en  all 
de  yuther  creeturs'  chilluns  ax  der  ma  w'at  de  reason  der 
pa  can't  git  dem  sump'n.  So  dar  it  went. 

"  Brer  Fox,  en  Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer  B'ar,  dey  make  up 
der  mines,  dey  did,  dat  ef  dey  gwine  ter  ketch  up  wid 
Brer  Rabbit,  dat  wuz  de  time,  en  dey  fix  up  a  plan  dat 
dey'd  lay  fer  Brer  Rabbit  en  nab  'im  w'en  he  come  back 
fum  town.  Dey  tuck'n  make  all  der  'rangerments,  en 
wait  fer  de  day. 


122  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Sho  nuff,  w'en  We'n'sday  come,  Brer  Rabbit  e't  he 
brekkus  'fo'  sun-up,  en  put  out  fer  town.  He  tuck'n  got 
hisse'f  a  dram,  en  a  plug  er  terbarker,  en  a  pocket-hank- 
cher,  en  he  got  de  ole  'oman  a  coffee-pot,  en  he  got  de 
chillun  sevin  tin  cups  en  sevin  tin  plates,  en  den  todes 
sundown  he  start  back  home.  He  walk  'long,  he  did, 
feelin'  mighty  biggity,  but  bimeby  w'en  he  git  sorter 
tired,  he  sot  down  und'  a  black-jack  tree,  en  'gun  to  fan 
hisse'f  wid  one  er  der  platters. 

"  Wiles  he  doin'  dis  a  little  bit  er  teenchy  sap-sucker 
run  up'n  down  de  tree  en  keep  on  makin'  mighty  quare 
fuss.  Atter  w'ile  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  shoo  at  'im  wid  de 
platter.  Seem  lak  dis  make  de  teenchy  little  sap-sucker 
mighty  mad,  en  he  rush  out  on  a  lira'  right  over  Brer 
Rabbit,  en  he  sing  out : 

'  Pilly-pee,  pilly-wee ! 
I  see  w'at  he  no  see ! 
I  see,  pilly-pee, 
I  see,  w'at  he  no  see ! ' 

"He  keep  on  singin'  dis,  he  did,  twel  Brer  Rabbit  'gun 
ter  look  'roun',  en  he  aint  no  sooner  do  dis  dan  he  see 
marks  in  de  san'  whar  sum  un  done  bin  dar  'fo'  'im,  en 
he  look  little  closer  en  den  he  see  w'at  de  sap-sucker 
drivin'  at.  He  scratch  his  head,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  he 
'low  ter  hisse'f : 

"  Ah-yi !  Yer  whar  Brer  Fox  been  settin',  en  dar  de 
print  er  he  nice  bushy  tail.  Yer  whar  Brer  Wolf  bin 
settin',  en  dar  de  print  er  he  fine  long  tail.  Yer  whar 


FRIGHTENS    HIS    NEIGHBORS.  123 

Brer  B'ar  bin  squattin'  on  he  hunkers,  en  dar  de  print 
w'ich  he  aint  got  no  tail.  Dey  er  all  bin  yer,  en  I  lay 
dey  er  hidin'  out  in  de  big  gully  down  dar  in  de  holler.' 

"Wid  dat,  ole  man  Rab  tuck'n  put  he  truck  in  de 
bushes,  en  den  he  run  Vay  'roun'  fer  ter  see  w'at  he  kin 
see.  Sho  miff,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  with  a  curious 
air  of  elation,  —  "  sho  nuff,  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  git  over 
agin  de  big  gully  down  in  de  holler,  dar  dey  wuz.  Brer 
Fox,  he  'uz  on  one  side  er  de  road,  en  Brer  Wolf  'uz  on 
de  t'er  side ;  en  ole  Brer  B'ar  he  'uz  quiled  up  in  de  gully 
takin'  a  nap. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  peep  at  um,  he  did,  en  he  lick 
he  foot  en  roach  back  he  h'ar,  en  den  hoi'  his  han's  'cross 
he  mouf  en  laff  lak  some  chilluns  does  w'en  dey  think  dey 
er  foolin'  der  ma." 

"Not  me,  Uncle  Remus — not  me!"  exclaimed  the 
little  boy  promptly. 

"  Heyo  dar !  don't  kick  'fo'  you  er  spurred,  honey ! 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  seed  um  all  dar,  en  he  tuck'n  grin,  he 
did,  en  den  he  lit  out  ter  whar  he  done  lef  he  truck,  en 
w'en  he  git  dar  he  dance  'roun'  en  slap  hise'f  on  de  leg, 
en  make  all  sorts  er  kuse  motions.  Den  he  go  ter  wuk 
en  tu'n  de  coffee-pot  upside  down  en  stick  it  on  he  head ; 
den  he  run  he  gallus  thoo  de  han'les  er  de  cups,  en  sling 
um  crosst  he  shoulder ;  den  he  'vide  de  platters,  some  in 
one  han'  en  some  in  de  yuther.  Atter  he  git  good  en 
ready,  he  crope  ter  de  top  er  de  hill,  he  did,  en  tuck  a 
runnin'  start,  en  flew  down  like  a  harrycane  —  rickety , 
rackety,  slambang  I " 


124  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

The  little  boy  clapped  his  hands  enthusiastically. 

w  Bless  yo'  soul,  dem  creeturs  aint  year  no  fuss  lak  dat, 
en  dey  aint  seed  no  man  w'at  look  lak  Brer  Rabbit  do, 
wid  de  coffee-pot1  on  he  head,  en  de  cups  a-rattlin'  on  he 
gallus,  en  de  platters  a-wavin'  en  a-shinin'  in  de  a'r. 

"Now,  mine  you,  ole  Brer  B'ar  wuz  layin'  off  up  de 
gully  takin'  a  nap,  en  de  fuss  skeer  'im  so  bad  dat  he 
make  a  break  en  run  over  Brer  Fox.  He  rush  out  in  de 
road,  he  did,  en  w'en  he  see  de  sight,  he  whirl  roun'  en 
run  over  Brer  Wolf.  Wid  der  scramblin'  en  der  scuf- 
flin',  Brer  Rabbit  got  right  on  um  'fo'  dey  kin  git  away. 
He  holler  out,  he  did : 

' '  Gimme  room  !  Tu'n  me  loose  !  I'm  ole  man 
Spewter-Splutter  wid  long  claws,  en  scales  on  my  back  ! 
I'm  snaggle-toofed  en  double-j'inted  !  Gimme  room  ! ' 

"Eve'y  time  he'd  fetch  a  whoop,  he'd  rattle  de  cups  en 
slap  de  platters  tergedder  —  rickety,  rackety,  slambang  ! 
En  I  let  you  know  w'en  dem  creeturs  got  dey  lim's  ter- 
gedder dey  split  de  win',  dey  did  dat.  Ole  Brer  B'ar, 
he  struck  a  stump  w'at  stan'  in  de  way,  en  I  aint  gwine 
tell  you  how  he  to'  it  up  kaze  you  won't  b'leeve  me,  but 
de  next  mawnin'  Brer  Rabbit  en  his  chilluns  went  back 
dar,  dey  did,  an  dey  got  nuff  splinters  fer  ter  make  um 
kin'lin'  wood  all  de  winter.  Yasser  I  Des  ez  sho  ez  I'm 
a-settin'  by  dish  yer  h'ath." 


MR.    MAN    HAS    SOME    MEAT.  125 

XXIII. 
MR.   MAN  HAS  SOME  MEAT. 

THE  little  boy  sat  watching  Uncle  Remus  sharpen  his 
shoe-knife.  The  old  man's  head  moved  in  sympathy  with 
his  hands,  and  he  mumbled  fragments  of  a  song.  Oc- 
casionally he  would  feel  of  the  edge  of  the  blade  with  his 
thumb,  and  then  begin  to  sharpen  it  again.  The  com- 
ical appearance  of  the  venerable  darkey  finally  had  its 
effect  upon  the  child,  for  suddenly  he  broke  into  a  hearty 
peal  of  laughter ;  whereupon  Uncle  Remus  stopped  shak- 
ing his  head  and  singing  his  mumbly-song,  and  assumed 
a  very  dignified  attitude.  Then  he  drew  a  long,  deep 
breath,  and  said : 

"  Wen  folks  git  ole  en  strucken  wid  de  palsy,  dey  mus' 
speck  ter  be  laflfd  at.  Goodness  knows,  I  bin  use  ter  dat 
sence  de  day  my  whiskers  'gun  to  bleach." 

"  Why,  I  wasn't  laughing  at  you,  Uncle  Remus  ;  I  de- 
clare I  wasn't,"  cried  the  little  boy.  "  I  thought  maybe 
you  might  be  doing  your  head  like  Brother  Rabbit  did 
when  he  was  fixing  to  cut  his  meat." 

Uncle  Remus'  seriousness  was  immediately  driven  away 
by  a  broad  and  appreciative  grin. 

"  Now,  dat  de  way  ter  talk,  honey,  en  I  boun'  you  wan't 
fur  wrong,  n'er,  kaze  fer  all  dey'll  tell  you  dat  Brer  Rab- 
bit make  he  livin'  'long  er  nibblin'  at  grass  en  greens,  hit 
'twan't  dat  away  indem  days,  'kaze  I  got  in  my  membunce 


126  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    KEMUS. 

right  now  de  'casion  whar  Brer  Rabbit  is  tuck'n  e't 
meat." 

The  little  boy  had  learned  that  it  was  not  best  to  make 
any  display  of  impatience,  and  so  he  waited  quietly  while 
Uncle  Remus  busied  himself  with  arranging  the  tools  on 
his  shoe-bench.  Presently  the  old  man  began  : 

"  Hit  so  happen  dat  one  day  Brer  Rabbit  meet  up  wid 
Brer  Fox,  en  w'en  dey  'quire  atter  der  corporosity,  dey  fine 
out  dat  bofe  un  um  mighty -po'ly.  Brer  Fox,  he  'low,  he 
do,  dat  he  monstus  hongry,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  'spon'  dat 
he  got  a  mighty  hankerin'  atter  vittles  hisse'f.  Bimeby 
dey  look  up  dey  big  road,  en  dey  see  Mr.  Man  comin' 
'long  wid  a  great  big  hunk  er  beef  und'  he  arm.  Brer 
Fox  he  up'n  'low,  he  did,  dat  he  lak  mighty  well  fer  ter 
git  a  tas'e  er  dat,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  'low  dat  de  sight  er 
dat  nice  meat  all  lineded  wid  taller  is  nuff  fer  ter  run  a 
body  'stracted. 

"  Mr.  Man  he  come  en  he  come  'long.  Brer  Rabbit  en 
Brer  Fox  dey  look  en  dey  look  at  'im.  Dey  wink  der  eye 
en  der  mouf  water.  Brer  Rabbit  he  'low  he  bleedz  ter  git 
some  er  dat  meat.  Brer  Fox  he  'spon',  he  did,  dat  it  look 
mighty  fur  off  ter  him.  Den  Brer  Rabbit  tell  Brer  Fox 
fer  ter  foller  'long  atter  'im  in  hailin'  distuns,  an  wid  dat  he 
put  out,  he  did,  en  'twan't  long  'fo'  he  kotch  up  wid  Mr. 
Man. 

w  Dey  pass  de  time  er  day,  en  den  dey  went  joggin'  'long 
de  road  same  lak  dey  'uz  gwine  'pun  a  journey.  Brer 
Rabbit  he  keep  on  snuffin'  de  a'r.  Mr.  Man  up'n  ax  'im 
is  he  got  a  bad  cole,  en  Brer  Rabbit  'spon'  dat  he  smell 


MR.   MAN    HAS    SOME    MEAT.  127 

sumpV  w'ich  it  don't  smell  like  ripe  peaches.  Bimeby, 
Brer  Eabbit  'gun  to  hoi'  he  nose,  he  did,  an  atter  w'ile  he 
sing  out : 

' '  Gracious  en  de  goodness,  Mr /Man  !  hit's  dat  meat  er 
yone.  Phew  1  Whar'bouts  is  you  pick  up  dat  meat  at  ? ' 

"  Dis  make  Mr.  Man  feel  sorter  'shame  hisse'f,  en  ter 
make  marters  wuss,  yer  come  a  great  big  green  fly  a-zoon- 
in'  'roun'.  Brer  Rabbit  he  git  way  off  on  ter  side  er  de 
road,  en  he  keep  on  hol'in'  he  nose.  Mr.  Man,  he  look 
sorter  sheepish,  he  did,  en  dey  aint  gone  fur  'fo'  he  put  de 
meat  down  on  de  side  er  de  road,  en  he  tuck'n  ax  Brer 
Rabbit  w'at  dey  gwine  do  'bout  it.  Brer  Rabbit  he  'low, 
he  did  : 

" '  I  year  tell  in  my  time  dat  ef  you  take'n  drag  a  piece 
er  meat  thoo'  de  dus'  hit'll  fetch  back  hits  freshness.  I 
aint  no  superspicious  man  myse'f,'  sezee,  '  en  I  aint  got 
no  'speunce  wid  no  sech  doin's,  but  dem  w'at  tell  me 
say  dey  done  try  it.  Yit  I  knows  dis,'  says  Brer  Rabbit, 
sezee,  — 'I  knows  dat  'taint  gwine  do  no  harm,  kase  de  grit 
w'at  gits  on  de  meat  kin  be  wash  off,"  sez  Brer  Rabbit, 
sezee. 

' f  I  aint  got  no  string,'  sez  Mr.  Man,  sezee. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  laff  hearty,  but  still  he  hoP  he  nose. 

: '  Time  you  bin  in  de  bushes  long  ez  I  is,  you  won't 
miss  strings,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  lipt  out,  en  he  aint  gone  long  'fo 
he  come  hoppin'  back  wid  a  whole  passel  er  bamboo  vines 
all  tied  tergedder.  Mr.  Man,  he  'low  : 

' '  Dat  line  mighty  long.' 


128  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  he  'low  : 

" '  Tooby  sho',  you  want  de  win'  fer  ter  git  'twix'  you  en 
dat  meat.' 

"  Den  Mr.  Man  tuck'n  tied  de  bamboo  line  ter  de  meat. 

^Brer  Rabbit  he  broke  off  a  'simmon  bush,  he  did,  en  'low 

dat  he'd  stay  behime  en  keep  de  flies  off.     Mr.  Man  he  go 

on  befo'  en  drag  de  meat,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  stay  behime, 

he  did,  en  take  keer  un  it." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  was  compelled  to  pause  and  laugh 
before  he  could  proceed  with  the  story. 

"  En  he  is  take  keer  un  it,  mon  —  dat  he  is.  He  tuck'n 
git  'im  a  rock,  en  w'iles  Mr.  Man  gwine  'long  bidout 
lookin'  back,  he  ondo  de  meat  en  tie  de  rock  ter  de  bam- 
boo line,  en  w'en  Brer  Fox  foller  on,  sho'  'nuff,  dar  lay  de 
meat.  Mr.  Man,  he  drug  de  rock,  he  did,  en  Brer  Rabbit 
he  keep  de  flies  off,  twel  atter  dey  gone  on  right  smart 
piece,  en  den  w'en  Mr.  Man  look  'roun',  whar  wuz  ole 
man  Rabbit? 

w  Bless  yo'  soul,  Brer  Rabbit  done  gone  back  en  jine 
Brer  Fox,  en  he  wuz  des  in  time,  at  dat,  'kase  little  mo' 
en  Brer  Fox  would  V  done  bin  outer  sight  en  yearin'. 
En  so  dat  de  way  Brer  Rabbit  git  Mr.  Man  meat." 

The  little  boy  reflected  a  little,  and  then  said  : 

"Uncle  Remus,  wasn't  that  stealing?" 

"  Well,  I  tell  you  'bout  dat,  honey,"  responded  the  old 
man,  with  the  air  of  one  who  is  willing  to  compromise. 
"  In  dem  days  de  creeturs  bleedz  ter  look  out  fer  deyse'f, 
mo'  speshually  dem  w'at  aint  got  hawn  an'  huff.  Brer 


HOW    BROTHER    RABBIT    GOT    THE    MEAT.       129 

Rabbit  aint  got  no  hawn  an'  huff,  en  he  bleedz  ter  be  he 
own  lawyer." 

Just  then  the  little  boy  heard  his  father's  buggy  rattling 
down  the  avenue,  and  he  ran  out  into  the  darkness  to 
meet  it.  After  he  was  gone,  Uncle  Remus  sat  a  long 
time  rubbing  his  hands  and  looking  serious.  Finally  he 
leaned  back  in  his  chair,  and  exclaimed : 

"  Dat  little  chap  gittin'  too  much  tier  ole  Remus  —  dat 
he  is  !  " 


XXIV. 

HOW  BROTHER  RABBIT  GOT  THE  MEAT. 

WHEN  the  little  boy  next  visited  Uncle  Remus  the 
cabin  was  dark  and  empty  and  the  door  shut.  The  old 
man  was  gone.  He  was  absent  for  several  nights,  but  at 
last  one  night  the  little  boy  saw  a  welcome  light  in  the 
cabin,  and  he  made  haste  to  pay  Uncle  Remus  a  visit. 
He  was  full  of  questions  : 

"  Goodness,  Uncle  Remus  !  Where  in  the  world  have 
you  been  ?  I  thought  you  were  gone  for  good.  Mamma 
said  she  reckoned  the  treatment  here  didn't  suit  you,  and 
you  had  gone  off  to  get  some  of  your  town  friends  to  hire 
you." 

"  Is  Miss  Sally  tell  you  dat,  honey?  Well,  ef  she  aint 
de  beatenes'  w'ite  'oman  dis  side  er  kingdom  come,  you 
kin  des  shoot  me.  Miss  Sally  tuck'n  writ  me  a  pass  wid 


130  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

her  own  ban's  fer  to  go  see  some  er  my  kin  down  dar  in 
de  Ashbank  settlement.  Yo'  mammy  quare  'oman,  honey, 
sho' ! 

"  En  yit,  w'at  de  good  er  my  stayin'  yer?  T'er  night, 
I  aint  mo'n  git  good  en  started  To'  you  er  up  en  gone,  en  I 
aint  seed  ha'r  ner  hide  un  you  sence.  Wen  I  see  you  do 
dat,  I  'low  ter  myse'f  dat  hit's  des  'bout  time  fer  ole  man 
Remus  fer  ter  pack  up  he  duds  an  go  hunt  comp'ny 
some'r's  else." 

"  Well,  Uncle  Remus,"  exclaimed  the  little  boy,  in  a 
tone  of  expostulation,  "  didn't  Brother  Fox  get  the  meat, 
and  wasn't  that  the  end  of  the  story  ?  " 

Uncle  Remus  started  to  laugh,  but  he  changed  his 
mind  so  suddenly  that  the  little  boy  was  convulsed.  The 
old  man  groaned  and  looked  at  the  rafters  with  a  curious 
air  of  disinterestedness.  After  a  while  he  went  on  with 
great  seriousness  : 

"  I  dunner  w'at  kinder  idee  folks  got  'bout  Brer  Rabbit 
nohow,  dat  I  don't.  S'pozen  you  lays  de  plans  so  some 
yuther  chap  kin  git  a  big  hunk  er  goody,  is  you  gwine  ter 
set  off  some'r's  en  see  'im  make  way  wid  it  ?  " 

"  What  kind  of  goody,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 

"  Dish  yer  kinder  goody  w'at  town  folks  keeps.  Mint 
draps  and  reezins,  en  sweet  doin's  lak  Miss  Sally  keep 
und'  lock  en  key.  Well,  den,  if  you  gits  some  er  dat,  er 
may  be  some  yuther  kinder  goody,  w'ich  I  wish  'twuz  yer 
right  dis  blessid  minnit,  is  you  gwine  ter  set  quile  up  in 
dat  cheer  en  let  n'er  chap  run  off  wid  it  ?  Dat  you  aint 
—  dat  you  aint !  " 


HOW    BROTHER    RABBIT    GOT    THE    MEAT.      131 

"  Oh,  I  know  !  "  exclaimed  the  little  boy.  "Brother  Rab- 
bit went  back  and  made  Brother  Fox  give  him  his  part  of 
the  meat." 

"  Des  lak  I  tell  you,  honey  ;  dey  wan't  no  man  mungs 
de  creeturs  w'at  kin  stan'  right  flat-footed  en  wuk  he  min* 
quick  lak  Brer  Rabbit.  He  tuck'n  tie  de  rock  on  de 
string,  stidder  de  meat,  en  he  pursue  long  atter  it,  he  did, 
twel  Mr.  Man  tu'n  a  ben'  in  de  road,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  des  lit  out  fum  dar  —  terbuckity-buckity ',  buck-buck- 
buckity  !  en  'twan't  long  'fo'  he  tuck'n  kotch  up  wid  Brer 
Fox.  Dey  tuck  de  meat,  dey  did,  en  kyar'd  it  way  off  in 
de  woods,  en  laid  it  down  on  a  clean  place  on  de  groun'. 

"Dey  laid  it  down,  dey  did,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
drawing  his  chair  up  closer  to  the  little  boy,  "  en  den  Brer 
Fox  'low  dey  better  sample  it,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  'gree. 
Wid  dat,  Brer  Fox  he  tuck'n  gnyaw  off  a  hunk,  en  he  shut 
bofe  eyes,  he  did,  en  he  chaw  en  chaw,  en  tas'e  en  tas'e, 
en  chaw  en  tas'e.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  watch  'im,  but  Brer 
Fox,  he  keep  bofe  eyes  shot,  en  he  chaw  en  tas'e,  en  tas'e 
en  chaw." 

Uncle  Remus  not  only  furnished  a  pantomime  accom- 
paniment to  this  recital  by  shutting  his  eyes  and  pretend- 
ing to  taste,  but  he  lowered  his  voice  to  a  pitch  of  tragical 
significance  in  reporting  the  dialogue  that  ensued  : 

"  Den  Brer  Fox  smack  he  mouf  en  look  at  de  meat  mo' 
closeter,  en  up'n  'low  : 

"'  Brer  Rabbit,  hit '*  lam9 7' 

"'  No,  Brer  Fox  1  sho'ly  not/9 

"'  Brer  Rabbit,  hit's  lam*  {* 


132  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

f ' Brer  Fox,  tooby  sho'ly  not!  ' 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  gnyaw  off  a  hunk,  en  he 
shot  bofe  eyes,  en  chaw  en  tas'e,  en  tas'e  en  chaw.  Den 
he  smack  he  mouf,  en  up'n  'low : 

" '  Brer  Fox,  hit's  shote  I ' 

'"  Brer  Rabbit,  you  foolin'  me  ! ' 

" '  Brer  Fox,  /  vow  hit's  shote  ! ' 

wt  Brer  Rabbit,  hit  des  can't  be!' 

" ' Brer  Fox,  hit  sho'ly  is! ' 

"Dey  tas'e  en  dey  'spute,  en  dey  'spute  en  dey  tas'e. 
Atter  w'ile,  Brer  Rabbit  make  lak  he  want  some  water,  en 
he  rush  off  in  de  bushes,  en  d'reckly  yer  he  come  back 
wipin'  he  mouf  en  cl'erin'  up  he  th'oat.  Den  Brer  Fox 
he  want  some  water  sho'  nuff: 

r '  Brer  Rabbit,  whar  you  fin'  de  spring?  ' 

' ?  Cross  de  road,  en  down  de  hill  en  up  de  big  gully.' 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  lope  off,  he  did,  en  atter  he  gone  Brer 
Rabbit  totch  he  year  wid  he  behime  foot  lak  he  flippin' 
'im  good-bye.  Brer  Fox,  he  cross  de  road  en  rush  down 
de  hill,  he  did,  yit  he  aint  fin'  no  big  gully.  He  keep 
on  gwine  twel  he  fin'  de  big  gully,  yit  he  aint  fin'  no 
spring. 

"  Wiles  all  dish  yer  gwine  on,  Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck'n 
grabble  a  hole  in  de  groun',  he  did,  en  dat  hole  he  hid 
de  meat.  Atter  he  git  it  good  en  hid,  he  tuck'n  cut  'im 
a  long  keen  hick'ry,  en  atter  so  long  a  time,  w'en  he 
year  Brer  Fox  comin'  back  he  got  in  a  clump  er  bushes, 
en  tuck  dat  hick'ry  en  let  in  on  a  saplin',  en  ev'y  time 


HOW  BROTHER  RABBIT  GOT  THE  MEAT.  133 

he  hit  de  saplin',  he  'ud  squall  out,  Brer  Rabbit  would, 
des  lak  de  patter-rollers  had  'im : 

"  Pow,  powl  f  Oh,  pray,  Mr.  Man  ! '  —  Pow,  pow  ! 
'Oh,  pray,  Mr.  Man!' — Chippy-row,  powl  'Oh, 
Lordy,  Mr.  Man  !  Brer  Fox  tuck  yo'  meat ! '  —  Pow  1 
f  Oh,  pray,  Mr.  Man  !  Brer  Fox  tuck  yo'  meat !' ' 

Every  time  Uncle  Remus  said  "  Pow  1 "  he  struck 
himself  in  the  palm  of  his  hand  with  a  shoe-sole  by  way 
of  illustration. 

"'Co'se,"  he  went  on,  "w'en  Brer  Fox  year  dis  kinder 
doin's,  he  fotch  up,  he  did,  en  lissen,  en  ev'y  time  he 
year  de  hick'ry  come  down  poio  I  he  tuck'n  grin  en  'low 
ter  hisse'f,  '  Ah-yi !  you  fool  me  'bout  de  water  !  Ah-yi ! 
you  fool  me  'bout  de  water !  ' 

"Atter  so  long  a  time,  de  racket  sorter  die  out,  en 
seem  lak  Mr.  Man  wuz  draggin'  Brer  Rabbit  off.  Dis 
make  Brer  Fox  feel  mighty  skittish.  Bimeby  Brer  Rab- 
bit come  a  cally-hootin'  back  des  a-hollerin' : 

? '  Run,  Brer  Fox,  run  I  Mr.  Man  say  he  gwine  to 
kyar  dat  meat  up  de  road  ter  whar  he  son  is,  en  den 
he's  a-comin'  back  atter  you.  Run,  Brer  Fox,  run  ! ' 

"En  I  let  you  know,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  leaning  back 
and  laughing  to  see  the  little  boy  laugh,  "  I  let  you 
know  Brer  Fox  got  mighty  skace  in  dat  neighborhood  !  " 


134  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

XXV. 

AFRICAN    JACK. 

USUALLY,  the  little  boy,  who  regarded  himself  as  Uncle 
Remus'  partner,  was  not  at  all  pleased  when  he  found  the 
old  man  entertaining,  in  his  simple  way,  any  of  his  colored 
friends  ;  but  he  was  secretly  delighted  when  he  called  one 
night  and  found  Daddy  Jack  sitting  by  Uncle  Remus's 
hearth.  Daddy  Jack  was  an  object  of  curiosity  to  older 
people  than  the  little  boy.  He  was  a  genuine  African, 
and  for  that  reason  he  was  known  as  African  Jack,  though 
the  child  had  been  taught  to  call  him  Daddy  Jack.  He 
was  brought  to  Georgia  in  a  slave-ship  when  he  was  about 
twenty  years  old,  and  remained  upon  one  of  the  sea- 
islands  for  several  years.  Finally,  he  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  family  of  which  Uncle  Remus's  little  partner  was  the 
youngest  representative,  and  became  the  trusted  foreman 
of  a  plantation,  in  the  southern  part  of  Georgia,  known  as 
the  Walthall  Place.  Once  every  year  he  was  in  the  habit 
of  visiting  the  Home  Place  in  Middle  Georgia,  and  it  was 
during  one  of  these  annual  visits  that  the  little  boy  found 
him  in  Uncle  Remus's  cabin. 

Daddy  Jack  appeared  to  be  quite  a  hundred  years  old, 
but  he  was  probably  not  more  than  eighty.  He  was  a 
little,  dried-up  old  man,  whose  weazened,  dwarfish  appear- 
ance, while  it  was  calculated  to  inspire  awe  in  the  minds 
of  the  superstitious,  was  not  without  its  pathetic  sugges- 


AFKICAN    JACK.  135 

tions.  The  child  had  been  told  that  the  old  African  was  a 
wizard,  a  conjurer,  and  a  snake-charmer ;  but  he  was  not 
afraid,  for,  in  any  event,  —  conjuration,  witchcraft,  or 
what  not,  —  he  was  assured  of  the  protection  of  Uncle 
Remus. 

As  the  little  boy  entered  the  cabin  Uncle  Remus  smiled 
and  nodded  pleasantly,  and  made  a  place  for  him  on  a 
little  stool  upon  which  had  been  piled  the  odds  and  ends 
of  work.  Daddy  Jack  paid  no  attention  to  the  child  ;  his 
thoughts  seemed  to  be  elsewhere. 

"  Go  en  shake  han's,  honey,  en  tell  Daddy  Jack  howdy. 
He  laks  good  chilluns."  Then  to  Daddy  Jack :  "  Brer 
Jack,  dish  yer  de  chap  w'at  I  bin  tellin'  you  'bout." 

The  little  boy  did  as  he  was  bid,  but  Daddy  Jack 
grunted  ungraciously  and  made  no  response  to  the  saluta- 
tion. He  was  evidently  not  fond  of  children.  Uncle 
Remus  glanced  curiously  at  the  '  dwarfed  and  withered 
figure,  and  spoke  a  little  more  emphatically  : 

"  Brer  Jack,  ef  you  take  good  look  at  dis  chap,  I  lay 
you  11  see  mo'n  you  speck  ter  see.  You'll  see  sump'n'  dat'll 
make  you  grunt  wusser  dan  you  grunted  deze  many  long 
year.  Go  up  dar,  honey,  whar  Daddy  Jack  kin  see  you." 

The  child  went  shyly  up  to  the  old  African  and  stood  at 
his  knee.  The  sorrows  and  perplexities  of  nearly  a  hun- 
dred years  lay  between  them ;  and  now,  as  always,  the 
baffled  eyes  of  age  gazed  into  the  Sphinx-like  face  of  youth, 
as  if  by  this  means  to  unravel  the  mysteries  of  the  past  and 
solve  the  problems  of  the  future. 

Daddy  Jack  took  the  plump,  rosy  hands  of  the  little 


136 


NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    KEMUS. 


boy  in  his  black,  withered  ones,  and  gazed  into  his  face  so 
long  and  steadily,  and  with  such  curious  earnestness,  that 
the  child  didn't  know  whether  to  laugh  or  cry.  Presently 
the  old  African  flung  his  hands  to  his  head,  and  rocked  his 
body  from  side  to  side,  moaning  and  mumbling,  and  talk- 
ing to  himself,  while  the  tears  ran  down  his  face  like  rain. 


w  Ole  Missy  !  Ole  Missy  !  ?E  come  back  !  I  bin  shum 
dey-day,  I  bin  shum  de  night !  I  bin  yeddy  'e  v'ice,  I  bin 
yeddy  de  sign  !  " 

"  Ah-yi ! "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  into  whose  arms 
the  little  boy  had  fled ;  "I  des  know'd  dat  'ud  fetch  'im. 
Hit's  bin  manys  de  long  days  sence  Brer  Jack  seed  ole 
Miss,  yit  ef  he  aint  seed  'er  dat  whack,  deri  I  aint  settin' 
yer." 


AFRICAN   JACK.  137 

After  a  while  Daddy  Jack  ceased  his  rocking,  and  his 
moaning,  and  his  crying,  and  sat  gazing  wistfully  into  the 
fireplace.  Whatever  he  saw  there  fixed  his  attention,  for 
Uncle  Remus  spoke  to  him  several  times  without  receiv- 
ing a  response.  Presently,  however,  Daddy  Jack  ex- 
claimed with  characteristic,  but  laughable  irrelevance : 

"I  no  lakky  dem  gal  wut  is  bin-a  stan'  pidjin-toe. 
Wun  'e  fetch  pail  er  water  on  'e  head,  water  churray, 
churray.  I  no  lakky  dem  gal  wut  tie  'e  wool  up  wit' 
string ;  mekky  him  stan'  ugly  fer  true.  I  bin  ahx  da' 
'Tildy  gal  fer  marry  me,  un  'e  no  crack  'im  breV  fer  mek 
answer  'cep'  'e  bre'k  out  un  lahf  by  me  werry  face.  Da' 
gal  do  holler  un  lahf  un  stomp  'e  fut  dey-dey,  un  dun  I 
shum  done  gone  pidjin-toe.  Oona  bin  know  da'  'Tildy 
gal?" 

"I  bin  a-knowin'  dat  gal,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  grimly 
regarding  the  old  African  ;  "  I  bin  a-knowin'  dat  gal  now 
gwine  on  sence  she  'uz  knee-high  ter  one  er  deze  yer  pud- 
dle-ducks ;  en  I  bin  noticin'  lately  dat  she  mighty  likely 
nigger." 

"  Enty  !  "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  enthusiastically, 
"  I  did  bin  mek  up  ter  da'  lilly  gal  troo  t'ick  un  t'in.  I 
bin  fetch  'im  one  fine  'possum,  un  mo'  ez  one,  two,  free 
peck-a  taty,  un  bumbye  I  bin  fetch  'im  one  bag  pop-co'n. 
Wun  I  bin  do  dat,  I  is  fley  roun'  da'  lilly  gal  so  long  tarn, 
un  I  yeddy  'im  talk  wit'  turrer  gal.  'E  do  say  :  *  Daddy 
Jack  fine  ole  man  fer  true.'  Dun  I  is  bin  talk  :  f  Oona 
no  call-a  me  Daddy  Jack  wun  dem  preacher  man  come 


138  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    EEMUS. 

fer  marry  we.'  Dun  da'  Lilly  gal  t'row  'e  head  back ;  'e 
squeal  lak  filly  in  canebrake." 

The  little  boy  understood  this  rapidly-spoken  lingo  per- 
fectly well,  but  he  would  have  laughed  anyhow,  for  there 
was  more  than  a  suggestion  of  the  comic  in  the  shrewd 
seriousness  that  seemed  to  focus  itself  in  Daddy  Jack's 
pinched  and  wrinkled  face. 

"  She  tuck  de  truck  w'at  you  tuck'n  fotch  'er,"  said 
Uncle  Remus,  with  the  air  of  one  carefully  and  deliberate- 
ly laying  the  basis  of  a  judicial  opinion,  "  en  den  w'en  you 
sail  in  en  talk  bizness,  den  she  up  en  gun  you  de  flat  un 
'er  foot  en  de  back  un  'er  han',  en  den,  atter  dat,  she 
tuck'n  laff  en  make  spote  un  you." 

"  Enty  !  "  assented  Daddy  Jack,  admiringly. 

"Well,  den,  Brer  Jack,  youer  mighty  ole,  en  yit  hit 
seem  lak  youer  mighty  young ;  kaze  a  man  w'at  aint  got 
no  mo'  speunce  wid  wimmen  folks  dan  w'at  you  is  neenter 
creep  'roun'  yer  callin'  deyse'f  ole.  Dem  kinder  folks 
aint  ole  miff,  let  'lone  bein'  too  ole.  Wen  de  gal  tuck'n 
laff,  Brer  Jack,  w'at  'uz  yo'  nex'  move  ? "  demanded 
Uncle  Remus,  looking  down  upon  the  shrivelled  old  man 
with  an  air  of  superiority. 

Daddy  Jack  shut  his  shrewd  little  eyes  tightly  and  held 
them  so,  as  if  by  that  means  to  recall  all  the  details  of  the 
flirtation.  Then  he  said  : 

"Da'  lilly  gal  is  bin  tek  dem  t'ing.  'E  is  bin  say 
'  T'anky,  t'anky.'  Him  eaty  da'  'possum,  him  eaty  da' 
pop-co'n,  him  roas'n  da'  taty.  'E  do  say,  f  T'anky, 
t'anky !'  Wun  I  talk  marry,  'e  is  bin  ris  'e  v'ice  un 


AFRICAN    JACK.  139 

squeal  lak  lilly  pig  stuck  in  'e  t'roat.  'E  do  holler  :  'Hi, 
Daddy  Jack  !  wut  is  noung  gal  gwan  do  wit'  so  ole  man 
lak  dis  ? '  Un  I  is  bin  say  :  '  Wut  noung  gal  gwan  do 
wit'  ole  Chrismus'  cep'  'e  do  'joy  'ese'f  ? '  Un  da  lil  gal 
'e  do  lahff  un  flut  'ese'f  way  fum  dey-dey." 

"I  know'd  a  nigger  one  time,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
after  pondering  a  moment,  "  w'at  tuck  a  notion  dat  he 
want  a  bait  er  'simmons,  en  de  mo'  w'at  de  notion  tuck  'im 
de  mo'  w'at  he  want  um,  en  biineby,  hit  look  lak  he  des 
natally  erbleedz  ter  have  um.  He  want  de  'simmons,  en 
dar  dey  is  in  de  tree.  He  mouf  water,  en  dar  hang  de 
'simmons.  Now,  den,  w'at  do  dat  nigger  do?  Wen 
you  en  me  en  dish  yer  chile  yer  wants  'simmons,  we  goes 
out  en  shakes  de  tree,  en  ef  deyer  good  en  ripe,  down 
dey  comes,  en  ef  deyer  good  en  green,  dar  dey  stays. 
But  dish  yer  yuther  nigger,  he  too  smart  fer  dat.  He  des 
tuck'n  tuck  he  stan'  und'  de  tree,  en  he  open  he  mouf,  he 
did,  en  wait  fer  de  'simmons  fer  ter  drap  in  dar.  Dey 
aint  none  drap  in  yit,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  gently 
knocking  the  cold  ashes  out  of  his  pipe  ;  "  en  w'at's  mo', 
dey  aint  none  gwine  ter  drap  in  dar.  Dat  des  zackly  de 
way  wid  Brer  Jack  yer,  'bout  marryin' ;  he  stan'  dar,  he  do, 
en  he  hoi'  bofe  han's  wide  open  en  he  speck  de  gal  gwine 
ter  drap  right  spang  in  um.  Man  want  gal,  he  des  got 
ter  grab  'er  —  dat's  w'at.  Dey  may  squall  en  dey  may 
nutter,  but  flutter'n'  en  squallin'  aint  done  no  damage  yit 
ez  I  knows  un,  en  'taint  gwine  ter.  Young  chaps  kin 
make  great  'miration  'bout  gals,  but  w'en  dey  gits  ole  ez  I 
is,  dey  ull  know  dat  folks  is  folks,  en  w'en  it  come  ter 


140  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

bein*  folks,  de  wimmen  ain  gut  none  de  Vantage  er  de  men. 
Now  dat's  des  de  plain  up  en  down  tale  I'm  a  tellin'  un 
you." 

This  deliverance  from  so  respectable  an  authority  seemed 
to  please  Daddy  Jack  immensely.  He  rubbed  his  with- 
ered hands  together,  smacked  his  lips  and  chuckled.  After 
a  few  restless  movements  he  got  up  and  went  shuffling  to 
the  door,  his  quick,  short  steps  causing  Uncle  Remus  to 
remark : 

"  De  gal  w'at  git  ole  Brer  Jack  'ull  git  a  natchul  pacer, 
sho'.  He  move  mo'  one-sideder  dan  ole  Zip  Coon,  w'ich 
he  rack  up  de  branch  all  night  long  wid  he  nose  p'int  lak 
he  gwine  'cross." 

While  the  little  boy  was  endeavoring  to  get  Uncle 
Remus  to  explain  the  nature  of  Daddy  Jack's  grievances, 
muffled  laughter  was  heard  outside,  and  almost  immediate- 
.ly  'Tildy  rushed  in  the  door.  'Tildy  flung  herself  upon 
the  floor  and  rolled  and  laughed  until,  apparently,  she 
could  laugh  no  more.  Then  she  seemed  to  grow  severe- 
ly angry.  She  arose  from  the  floor  and  flopped  herself 
down  in  a  chair,  and  glared  at  Uncle  Remus  with  indig- 
nation in  her  eyes.  As  soon  as  she  could  control  her 
inflamed  feelings,  she  cried  : 

"  W'at  is  I  done  ter  you,  Unk'  Remus?  To'  de  Lord, 
ef  anybody  wuz  ter  come  en  tole  me  dat  you  gwine  ter 
put  de  Ole  Boy  in  dat  ole  Affikin  nigger  head,  I  wouldn't 
er  b'leeved  um —  dat  I  wouldn't.  Unk'  Remus,  w'at  is  I 
done  ter  you  ?  " 


AFRICAN    JACK.  141 

Uncle  Remus  made  no  direct  response ;  but  he  leaned 
over,  reached  out  his  hand,  and  picked  up  an  unfinished 
axe-helve  that  stood  in  the  corner.  Then  he  took  the 
little  boy  by  the  arm,  and  pushed  him  out  of  the  way, 
saying  in  his  gentlest  and  most  persuasive  tone  : 

"  Stan'  sorter  'roun'  dar,  honey,  kase  w'en  de  splinters 
'gin  ter  fly,  I  want  you  ter  be  out'n  de  way.  Miss  Sally 
never  gimme  'er  fergivance  in  de  'roun'  worl'  ef  you  'uz 
ter  git  hurted  on  account  er  de  frazzlin'  er  dish  yer  piece 
er  timber." 

Uncle  Remus's  movements  and  remarks  had  a  wonder- 
ful effect  on  'Tildy.  Her  anger  disappeared,  her  eyes  lost 
their  malignant  expression,  and  her  voice  fell  to  a  conver- 
sational tone. 

"  Now,  Unk'  Remus,  you  oughtn't  ter  do  me  dat  a-way, 
kase  I  aint  done  nothin'  ter  you.  I  'uz  settin'  up  yon'  in 
Aunt  Teinpy  house,  des  now,  runnin'  on  wid  Riah,  en 
yer  come  dat  ole  Affikin  Jack  en  say  you  say  he  kin 
marry  me  ef  he  ketch  me,  en  he  try  ter  put  he  arm  'roun' 
me  en  kiss  me." 

'Tildy  tossed  her  head  and  puckered  her  mouth  at  the 
bare  remembrance  of  it.  * 

"  Wat  wud  did  you  gin  Brer  Jack  ? "  inquired  Uncle 
Remus,  not  without  asperity. 

"  Wat  I  gwine  tell  him  ?  "  exclaimed  'Tildy  disdainfully. 
"I  des  tuck'n  up  en  tole  'im  he  foolin'  wid  de  wrong 
nigger.  " 

'Tildy  would  have  continued  her  narration,  but  just  at 
that  moment  the  shuffling  of  feet  was  heard  outside,  and 


142  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    KEMUS. 

Daddy  Jack  came  in,  puffing  and  blowing  and  smiling. 
Evidently  he  had  been  hunting  for  'Tildy  in  every  house 
in  the  negro  quarter. 

"  Hi ! "  he  exclaimed,  "  HI  gal,  'e  bin  skeet  sem  lak 
ma'sh  hen.  'E  no  run  no  mo." 

"  Pick  'er  up,  Brer  Jack,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus ; 
«  she's  yone." 

'Tildy  was  angry  as  well  as  frightened.  She  would 
have  fled,  but  Daddy  Jack  stood  near  the  door. 

"  Look  yer,  nigger  man  !  "  she  exclaimed,  "  ef  you 
come  slobbun  'roun'  me,  I'll  take  one  er  deze  yer  dog-iuns 
en  brain  you  wid  it.  I  aint  gwine  ter  have  no  web-foot 
nigger  follerin'  atter  me.  Now  you  des  come  !  —  I  aint 
feard  er  yo'  cunjun.  Unk'  Remus,  ef  you  got  any  intruss 
in  dat  ole  Affikin  ape,  you  better  make  'im  lemme  'lone. 
G'way  fum  yer  now  !  " 

All  this  time  Daddy  Jack  was  slowly  approaching 
'Tildy,  bowing  and  smiling,  and  looking  quite  dandified, 
as  Uncle  Remus  afterward  said.  Just  as  the  old  African 
was  about  to  lay  hands  upon  'Tildy,  she  made  a  rush  for 
the  door.  The  movement  was  so  unexpected  that  Daddy 
Jack  was  upset.  He  fell  upon  Uncle  Remus's  shoe-bench, 
and  then  rolled  off  on  the  floor,  where  he  lay  clutching 
at  the  air,  and  talking  so  rapidly  that  nobody  could  under- 
stand a  word  he  said.  Uncle  Remus  lifted  him  to  his  feet, 
with  much  dignity,  and  it  soon  became  apparent  that  he 
was  neither  hurt  nor  angry.  The  little  boy  laughed 
immoderately,  and  he  was  still  laughing  when  'Tildy  put 
her  head  in  the  door  and  exclaimed  : 


WHY  THE  ALLIGATOR'S  BACK  IS  ROUGH.         143 

"Unk*  Remus,  I  aint  kilt  dat  ole  nigger,  is  I?  Kaze 
ef  I  got  ter  go  ter  de  gallus,  I  want  to  go  dar  fer  sump'n 
n'er  bigger'n  dat." 

Uncle  Remus,  disdained  to  make  any  reply,  but  Daddy 
Jack  chuckled  and  patted  himself  on  the  knee  as  he  cried  : 

"  Come  'long,  lilly  gal !  come  'long  !  I  no  mad.  I 
fall  down  dey  fer  laff.  Come  'long,  lilly  gal,  come 
'long." 

'Tildy  went  on  laughing  loudly  and  talking  to  herself. 
After  awhile  Uncle  Remus  said  : 

"  Honey,  I  speck  Miss  Sally  lookin'  und'  de  bed  en  axin' 
whar  you  is.  You  better  leak  out  fum  yer  now,  en  by  dis 
time  ter-morrer  night  I'll  git  Brer  Jack  all  primed  up,  en 
he'll  whirl  in  en  tell  you  a  tale." 

Daddy  Jack  nodded  assent,  and  the  little  boy  ran  laugh- 
ing to  the  "  big  house." 


XXVI. 

WHY  THE  ALLIGATOR'S  BACK  18  ROUGH. 

THE  night  after  the  violent  flirtation  between  Daddy 
Jack  and  'Tildy,  the  latter  coaxed  and  bribed  the  little 
boy  to  wait  until  she  had  finished  her  work  about  the 
house.  After  she  had  set  things  to  rights  in  the  dining- 
room  and  elsewhere,  she  took  the  child  by  the  hand,  and 
together  they  went  to  Uncle  Remus's  cabin.  The  old 


144  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

man  was  making  a  door-mat  of  shucks  and  grass  and 
white-oak  splits,  and  Daddy  Jack  was  dozing  in  the 
corner. 

"Wat  I  tell  you,  Brer  Jack?"  said  Uncle  Remus,  as 
'Tildy  came  in.  "  Dat  gal  atter  you,  mon  I  " 

"Fer  de  Lord  sake,  link'  Remus,  don't  start  dat  ole 
nigger.  I  done  promise  Miss  Sally  dat  I  wont  kill  'im,  en 
I  like  ter  be  good  ez  my  word ;  but  ef  he  come  foolin5 
longer  me  I'm  des  natally  gwine  ter  onj'int  'im.  Now 
you  year  me  say  de  word." 

But  Daddy  Jack  made  no  demonstration.  He  sat  with 
his  eyes  closed,  and  paid  no  attention  to  'Tildy.  After 
awhile  the  little  boy  grew  restless,  and  presently  he  said  : 

"  Daddy  Jack,  you  know  you  promised  to  tell  me  a 
story  to-night." 

"He  wukkin'  wid  it  now,  honey,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
soothingly.  "  Brer  Jack,"  he  continued,  "  wa'n't  dey 
sump'n'  n'er  'bout  ole  man  Yalligater?" 

"  Hi !  "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  arousing  himself,  "  'e 
'bout  B'er  'Gater  fer  true.  Oona  no  bin  see  da'  B'er 
'Gater?" 

The  child  had  seen  one,  but  it  was  such  a  very  little 
one  he  hardly  knew  whether  to  claim  an  acquaintance 
with  Daddy  Jack's  'Gater. 

"  Dem  all  sem,"  continued  Daddy  Jack.  "  Big  mout', 
pop-eye,  walk  on  'e  belly ;  'e  is  bin  got  bump,  bump, 
bump  'pon  'e  bahk,  bump,  bump,  bump  'pon  'e  tail. 
E  dife  'neat '  de  water,  'e  do  lif  'pon  de  Ian'. 


WHY    THE    ALLIGATOR'S    BACK    IS    ROUGH.       145 

"  One  tarn  Dog  is  bin  run  B'er  Rabbit,  tel  'e  do  git 
tire  ;  da'  Dog  is  bin  run  'im  tell  him  ent  mos'  hab  no  bre't' 
in  'e  body;  'e  hide  'ese'fby  de  crik  side.  'E  come  close 
'pon  B'er  'Gater,  en  B'er  'Gater,  'e  do  say : 

"  '  Ki,  B'er  Rabbit !  wut  dis  is  mek  you  blow  so  ?     Wut 
r  mekky  you'  bre't'  come  so  ?  ' 

"  '  Eh-eh  1  B'er  'Gater,  I  hab  bin  come  'pon'  trouble. 
Dog,  'e  do  run  un-a  run  me.' 

"  '  Wey  you  no  fetch  'im  'long,  B'er  Rabbit?  I  is  bin 
git  fat  on  all  da'  trouble  lak  dem.  I  proud  fer  yeddy 
Dog  bark,  ef  'e  is  bin  fetch-a  me  trouble  lak  dem.' 

'  Wait,  B'er  'Gater  !  Trouble  come  bisitin'  wey  you 
lif;  'e  mekky  you'  side  puff;  'e  mekky  you'  bre't'  come 
so.' 

"  'Gater,  he  do  flup  'e  tail  un  'tretch  'ese'f,  un  lahff. 
'E  say : 

r '  I  lak  fer  see  dem  trouble.  Nuddin'  no  bodder  me. 
I  ketch-a  dem  swimp,  I  ketch-a  dem  crahb,  I  mekky  my 
bed  wey  de  sun  shiiin  hot,  un  I  do  'joy  mese'f.  I  proud 
fer  see  dem  trouble.' 

f  'E  come  'pon  you,  B'er  'Gater,  wun  you  bin   hab 
you'  eye  shed ;  'e  come  'pon  you  fum  de  turrer  side.    Ef 
•  'e  no  come  'pon  you  in  da  crik,  dun  'e  come  'pon  you  in 
da  broom-grass." 

? '  Dun  I  shekky  um  by  de  han',  B'er  Rabbit ;  I  ahx 
um  howdy.' 

! '  Eh-eh,  B'er  'Gater  !  you  bin-a  lahff  at  me  ;  you  no 
lahff  wun  dem  trouble  come.  Dem  trouble  bin  ketch-a 
you  yit.' " 


146  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE   REMUS. 

Daddy  Jack  paused  to  wipe  his  face.  He  had  reported 
the  dialogue  between  Brother  Rabbit  and  Brother  Alli- 
gator with  considerable  animation,  and  had  illustrated  it  as 
he  went  along  with  many  curious  inflections  of  the  voice, 
and  many  queer  gestures  of  head  and  hands  impossible  to 
describe  here,  but  which  added  picturesqueness  to  the 
story.  After  awhile  he  went  on  : 

"B'er  Eabbit,  'e  do  blow  un  'e  do  ketch  urn  bre't'.  'E 
pit  one  year  wey  Dog  is  bin-a  bark  ;  'e  pit  one  eye  'pon  B'er 
'Grater.  'E  lissen,  'e  look ;  'e  look,  'e  lissen.  'E  no 
yeddy  Dog,  un  'e  comforts  come  back.  Bumbye  B'er 
'Gater,  e'  come  drowsy ;  'e  do  nod,  nod,  un  'e  head  sway 
down,  tel  ma'sh-grass  tickle  'e  nose,  un  'e  do  cough  sem 
lak  'e  teer  up  da  crik  by  da  root.  'E  no  lak  dis  place  fer 
sleep  at,  un  'e  is  crawl  troo  da  ma'sh  'pbn  dry  Ian' ;  'e  is 
mek  fer  da  broom-grass  fiel'.  'E  inek  'e  bed  wid  'e  long 
tail,  un  'e  is  'tretch  'ese'f  out  at  'e  lenk.  'E  is  shed  'e  y-eye, 
un  opun  'e  mout',  un  tek  'e  nap. 

"  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  do  hoi'  'e  y-eye  'pon  B'er  'Gater.  Him 
talk  no  wud ;  him  wallup  'e  cud ;  him  stan'  still.  B'er 
'Gater,  'e  do  tek  'e  nap  ;  B'er  Rabbit  'e  do  watch.  Bum- 
bye,  B'er  'Gater  bre't',  'e  do  come  loud;  'e  is  bin  sno' 
hard  I  'E  dream  lilly  dream ;  'e  wuk  'e  fut  un  shek  'e 
tail  in  'e  dream.  B'er  Rabbit  wink  'e  y-eye,  un  'e  do 
watch.  B'er  'Gater,  he  do  leaf  'e  dream  bahine,  un  'e 
sleep  soun'.  B'er  Rabbit  watch  lil,  wait  lil.  Bumbye, 
'e  do  go  wey  fier  bu'n  in  da'  stump,  un  'e  is  fetch  some. 
'E  say  '  Dis  day  I  is  mek  you  know  dem  trouble ;  I  is 
mek  you  know  dem  well.'  'E  hop  'roun'  dey-dey,  un  'e 


WHY    THE    ALLIGATOR'S    BACK   IS    ROUGH.       147 

do  light  da'  broom-grass;  'e  bu'n,  bu'n —  bu'n,  bu'n;  'e 
do  bu'n  smaht. 

"B'er  'Gater,  'e  is  dream  some  mo'  lilly  dream.  'E  do 
wuk  'e  fut,  'e  do  shek  'e  tail.  Broom-grass  bu'n,  bu'n ; 
B'er  'Gater  dream.  'E  dream  da  sun  is  shiiin'  hot ;  'e  worn 
'e  back,  'e  worn  'e  belly ;  'e  wuk  'e  fut,  e'  shek  'e  tail. 
Broom-grass  bu'n  high,  'e  bu'n  low ;  'e  bu'n  smaht,  e'  bu'n 
hot.  Bumbye,  B'er  'Gater  is  wek  fum  'e  dream ;  'e 
smell-a  da'  smoke,  'e  feel-a  da'  fier.  'E  run  dis  way, 
'e  run  turrer  way  ;  no  diffran'  wey  'e  is  run,  dey  da'  smoke, 
dey  da  fier.  Bu?n,  bu'n,  bu'n  I  B'er  'Gater  lash  'e  tail, 
un  grine  'e  toof.  Bumbye,  'e  do  roll  un  holler  : 

'  Trouble,  trouble,  trouble  !     Trouble,  trouble!9 
"  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is  stan'  pas'  da'  fier,  un  'e  do  say  : 
«<Ki!    B'er   '6ater!    Wey  you   fer  l'arn-a   dis   talk 
'bout  dem  trouble  ? ' 

"B'er  'Gater,  'e  lash  'e  tail,  'e  fair  teer  da'  ye't,1  un  'e 
do  holler : 

"f  Oh,  ma  Lord  !  Trouble  !   Trouble,  trouble,  trouble!9 
"'Shekky   um   by   de   hanj,   B'er   'Gater.      Ahx  urn 
howdy ! ' 

:"Ow,  ma  Lord  !      Trouble,  trouble,  trouble!9 
"<  Lahff  wit'  dem  trouble,  B'er  'Gater,  lahffwit'  dem! 
Ahx  dem  is  dey  he'lt'  bin  well !      You  bin-a-cry  fer  dey 
'quaintun',2  B'er'  'Gater;   now  you  mus'  beer  wit'  dem 
trouble  ! ' 

"  B'er  'Gater  come  so  mad,  'e  mek  dash  troo  da'  broom- 
grass  ;  'e  fair  teer  um  down.  'E  bin  scatter  da'  fier  wide 

1  Tear  the  earth.  a  Acquaintance. 


148  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

'part,  un  'e  do  run  un  dife  in  da'  crik  fer  squinch  da'  fier 
'pon  e'  bahk.  'E  bahk  swivel,  'e  tail  swivel  wit'  da'  fier, 
un  fum  dat  dey  is  bin  stan'  so.  Bump,  bump  'pon  'e 
tail;  bump,  bump  'pon  'e  bahk,  wey  da'  fier  bu'n." 

"Hit's  des  lak  Brer  Jack  tell  you,  honey,"  said  Uncle 
Remus,  as  Daddy  Jack  closed  his  eyes  and  relapsed  into 
silence.  "I  done  seed  um  wid  my  own  eyes.  En  deyer 
mighty  kuse  creeturs,  mon'.  Dey  back  is  all  ruffed  up 
en  down  ter  dis  day  en  time,  en  mo'n  dat,  you  aint 
gwineter  ketch  Brer  Rabbit  rackin'  'roun'  whar  de  Yaller- 
gaters  is.  En  de  Yallergaters  deyse'f,  w'en  dey  years  any 
crackin'  en  rattlin'  gwine  on  in  de  bushes,  dey  des  makes 
a  break  fer  de  creek  en  splunges  in.' 

"  Enty !  "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  with  momentary 
enthusiasm.  "  'E  do  tu'n  go  da'  bahnk,  un  dife  'neat'  da' 
crik.  'E  bin  so  worn  wit'  da'  fier,  'e  mek  de  crik  go 
si-z-z-z  ! " 

Here  Daddy  Jack  looked  around  and  smiled.  His 
glance  fell  on  'Tildy,  and  he  seemed  suddenly  to  re- 
member that  he  had  failed  to  be  as  polite  as  circumstances 
demanded. 

"  Come-a  set  nex'  me,  lilly  gal.  I  gwan  tell  you  one 
tale." 

"  Come  'long,  Pinx,"  said  'Tildy,  tossing  her  head  dis- 
dainfully, and  taking  the  little  boy  by  the  hand.  "  Come 
'long,  Pinx  ;  we  better  be  gwine.  I  done  say  I  won't  kill 
dat  ole  nigger  man.  Yit  ef  he  start  atter  me  dis  blessid 
night,  I  lay  I  roust  de  whole  plantation.  Come  on, 
honey ;  less  go." 


BROTHER    WOLF    SAYS    GRACE.  149 

The  little  boy  was  not  anxious  to  go,  but  Uncle  Remus 
seconded  'Tildy's  suggestion. 

"  Better  let  dat  gal  mozey  'long,  honey,  kaze  she  mout 
start  in  fer  ter  cut  up  some  'er  capers  in  yer,  en  I  hate 
mighty  bad  ter  bus'  up  dis  yer  axe-helve,  w'ich  I'm  in 
needs  un  it  eve'y  hour  er  de  day." 

Whereupon  the  two  old  negroes  were  left  sitting  by 
the  hearth. 


XX  VII. 

BROTHER    WOLF   SATS    GRACE. 

'TiLDY,  the  house-girl,  made  such  a  terrible  report 
of  the  carryings  on  of  Daddy  Jack  that  the  little  boy's 
mother  thought  it  prudent  not  to  allow  him  to  visit  Uncle 
Remus  so  often.  The  child  amused  himself  as  best  he 
could  for  several  nights,  but  his  playthings  and  picture- 
books  finally  lost  their  interest.  He  cried  so  hard  to  be 
allowed  to  go  to  see  Uncle  Remus  that  his  mother  placed 
him  under  the  care  of  Aunt  Tempy,  —  a  woman  of  large 
authority  on  the  place,  and  who  stood  next  to  Uncle 
Remus  in  the  confidence  of  her  mistress.  Aunt  Tempy 
was  a  fat,  middle-aged  woman,  who  always  wore  a  head- 
handkerchief,  and  kept  her  sleeves  rolled  up,  displaying 
her  plump,  black  arms,  winter  and  summer.  She  never 
hesitated  to  exercise  her  authority,  and  the  younger 
negroes  on  the  place  regarded  her  as  a  tyrant ;  but  in 
spite  of  her  loud  voice  and  brusque  manners  she  was 


150  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

thoroughly  good-natured,  usually  good-humored,  and 
always  trustworthy.  Aunt  Tempy  and  Uncle  Remus 
were  secretly  jealous  of  each  other,  but  they  were  careful 
never  to  come  in  conflict,  and,  to  all  appearances,  the 
most  cordial  relations  existed  between  them. 

"Well  de  goodness  knows  !"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus, 
as  Aunt  Tempy  went  in  with  the  little  boy.  "How  you 
come  on,  Sis  Tempy?  De  rainy  season  aint  so  mighty  fur 
off  w'en  you  come  a-sojourneyin'  in  dis  house.  Ef  I'd 
a-know'd  you'd  a-bin  a-comin'  I'd  a-sorter  steered  'roun' 
en  bresh'd  de  cobwebs  out'n  de  cornders." 

"  Don't  min'  me,  Brer  Remus.  Luck  in  de  house  whar 
de  cobwebs  hangs  low.  I  'uz  des  a-passin' —  a-passin' 
'long  —  en  Miss  Sally  ax  me  ef  I  kin  come  fur  ez  de  do' 
wid  dat  chile  dar,  but  bless  you,  taint  in  my  manners  ter 
tu'n  back  at  de  do'.  How  you  come  on,  Brer  Remus?" 

"Po'ly,  Sis  Tempy;  en  yit  I  aint  complainin'.  Pain 
yer,  en  a  ketch  yander,  wid  de  cramps  th'ow'd  in,  aint  no 
mo'  dan  ole  folks  kin  speck.  How  you  is,  Sis  Tempy? " 

WI  thank  de  Lord  I'm  able  to  crawl,  Brer  Remus,  en 
dat's  'bout  all.  Ef  I  wa'n't  so  sot  in  my  ways,  deze  yer 
niggers  would  er  run  me  'stracted  d'reckly." 

Daddy  Jack  was  sitting  in  the  corner  laughing  and 
talking  to  himself,  and  the  little  boy  watched  him  not 
without  a  feeling  of  awe.  After  a  while  he  said : 

"Uncle  Remus,  won't  Daddy  Jack  tell  us  a  story  to- 
night?" 

"Now,  den,  honey,"  responded  the  old  man,  "we  aint 
got  ter  push  Brer  Jack  too  closte ;  we  ull  des  hatter  creep 


BROTHER    WOLF    SAYS    GRACE.  151 

up  on  'im  en  ketch  'im  fer  er  tale  wence  he  in  de  humors. 
Sometime  hoss  pull,  sometime  he  aint  pull.  You  aint  bin 
down  yer  so  long,  hit  sorter  look  lak  it  my  tu'n ;  kaze  it 
done  come  'cross  my  'inembunce  dat  dey  wuz  one  time 
w'en  Brer  Wolf  kotch  Brer  Rabbit,  w'ich  I  aint  never 
gun  it  out  ter  you  yit." 

"  Brother  Wolf  caught  Brother  Rabbit,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 
exclaimed  the  little  boy,  incredulously. 

"Yasser !  dat's  de  up  en  down  un  it,  sho,"  responded 
the  old  man  with  emphasis,  "en  I  be  mighty  glad  ef  Sis 
Tempty  yer  will  'scuze  me  w'iles  I  runs  over  de  tale  'long 
wid  you." 

"Bless  yo'  soul,  Brer  Remus,  don't  pay  no  'tention  ter 
me,"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  folding  her  fat  arms  upon  her 
ample  bosom,  and  assuming  an  attitude  of  rest  and  con- 
tentment. "I'm  bad  ez  de  chillun  'bout  dem  ole  tales, 
'kase  I  kin  des  set  up  yer  un  lissen  at  um  de  whole  blessid 
night,  un  a  good  part  er  de  day.  Yass,  Lord !" 

"Well,  den,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "we  ull  des  huddle  up 
yer  en  see  w'at  'come  er  Brer  Rabbit  w'en  ole  Brer  Wolf 
kotch  'im.  In  dem  days,"  he  continued,  looking  at  Daddy 
Jack  and  smiling  broadly,  "de  creeturs  wux  constant 
gwine  a-courtin'.  Ef  'twan't  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals 
dey  wuz  fly  in'  'roun',  hit  'uz  Miss  Motts.  Dey  wuz  con- 
stant a-courtin'.  En  'twan't  none  er  dish  yer  ?  Howdy-do- 
ma'm-I-speck-I-better-be-gwine,'  n'er.  Hit  'uz  go  atter 
brekkus  and  stay  twel  atter  supper.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  got 
tuk  wid  a-likin'  fer  Miss  Motts,  en  soon  one  mawnin', 
he  tuck'n  slick  hisse'f  up,  he  did,  en  put  out  ter  call  on  'er. 


152  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

Wen  Brer  Eabbii  git  ter  whar  Miss  Motts  live,  she  done 
gone  off  some'rs. 

"Some  folks  'ud  er  sot  down  en  wait  twel  Miss  Motts 
come  back,  en  den  ag'in  some  folks  'ud  er  tuck  der  foot  in 
der  ban'  en  went  back ;  but  old  Brer  Rabbit,  he  aint  de 
man  fer  ter  be  outdone,  en  he  des  tuck'n  go  in  de  kitchen 
en  light  he  seegyar,  en  den  he  put  out  fer  ter  pay  a  call  on 
Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals. 

"Wen  he  git  dar,  lo  en  beholes,  he  fine  Miss  Motts 
dar,  en  he  tipped  in,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  he  galanted 
'roun'  mungs  um,  same  lak  one  er  dese  yer  town  chaps, 
w'at  you  see  come  out  ter  Harmony  Grove  meetin'-house. 
De  talk  en  dey  laff ;  dey  laff  en  dey  giggle.  Bime  by, 
2ong  todes  night,  Brer  Rabbit  'low  he  better  be  gwine. 
De  wimmen  folks  dey  all  ax  'im  fer  ter  stay  twel  atter  sup- 
per, kaze  he  sech  lively  comp'ny,  but  Brer  Rabbit  fear'd 
some  er  de  yuther  creeturs  be  hidin'  out  fer  'im ;  so  he 
tuck'n  pay  his  'specks,  he  did,  en  start  fer  home. 

"  He  aint  git  fur  twel  he  come  up  wid  a  great  big  basket 
settin'  down  by  de  side  er  de  big  road.  He  look  up  de 
road ;  he  aint  see  nobody.  He  look  down  de  road ;  he 
aint  see  nobody.  He  look  befo',  he  look  behime,  he  look 
all  'roun' ;  he  aint  see  nobody.  He  lissen,  en  lissen ; 
he  aint  year  nothin'.  He  wait,  en  he  wait;  nobody  aint 
come. 

"Den,  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  go  en  peep  in  de  basket,  en 
it  seem  lak  it  half  full  er  green  truck.  He  retch  he  han' 
in,  he  did,  en  git  some  en  put  it  in  he  mouf.  Den  he  shet 
he  eye  en  do  lak  he  studyin'  'bout  sump'n.  Atter  w'ile, 


BROTHER    WOLF    SAYS  GRACE.  153 

he  'low  ter  hisse'f,  '  Hit  look  lak  sparrer-grass,  hit  feel  like 
sparrer-grass,  hit  tas'e  lak  sparrer-grass,  en  I  be  bless  ef 
'taint  sparrer-grass.' 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  jump  up,  he  did,  en  crack  he 
heel  tergedder,  en  he  fetch  one  leap  en  Ian'  in  de  basket, 
right  spang  in  'mungs  de  sparrer-grass.  Dar  whar  he  miss 
he  footin',"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  rubbing  his  beard 
meditatively,  "  kaze  w'en  he  jump  in  'mungs  de  sparrer- 
grass,  right  den  en  dar  he  jump  in  'mungs  ole  Brer  Wolf, 
w'ich  he  wer'  quile  up  at  de  bottom." 

"  Dar  now  !  "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy,  enthusiastically. 
"Wat  I  tell  you?  Wat  make  him  pester  t'er  folks 
doin's  ?  I  boun'  Brer  Wolf  nail't  'im." 

"  Time  Brer  Wolf  grab  'im,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
"  Brer  Rabbit  knowed  he  uz  a  gone  case ;  yit  he  sing  out, 
he  did : 

f"I  des  tryin'  ter  skeer  you,  Brer  Wolf;  I  des  tryin' 
ter  skeer  you.  I  know'd  you  'uz  in  dar,  Brer  Wolf.  I 
know'd  you  by  de  smell  I '  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"Ole  Brer  Wolf  grin,  he  did,  en  lick  he  chops,  en 
up'n  say : 

: '  Mighty  glad  you  know'd  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  kaze  I 
know'd  you  des  time  you  drapt  in  on  me.  I  tuck'n  tell 
Brer  Fox  yistiddy  dat  I  'uz  gwine  take  a  nap  'longside  er 
de  road,  en  I  boun'  you  'ud  come  'long  en  wake  me  up, 
en'  slio'  nuff,  yer  you  come  en  yer  you  is,'  sez  Brer  Wolf, 


sezee." 


"Oh-ho,  Mr.  Rabbit !  How  you  feel  now?"  exclaimed 
Aunt  Tempy,  her  sympathies  evidently  with  Brother 
Wolf. 


154  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

"  Wen  Brer  Rabbit  year  dis,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  pay- 
ing no  attention  to  the  interruption,  "  he  'gun  ter  git 
mighty  skeer'd,  en  he  whirl  in  beg  Brer  Wolf  fer  ter 
please  tu'n  'im  loose ;  but  dis  make  Brer  Wolf  grin 
wusser,  en  he  toof  look  so  long  en  shine  so  w'ite,  en  he 
gum  look  so  red,  dat  Brer  Rabbit  hush  up  en  stay  still. 
He  so  skeerd  dat  he  bref  come  quick,  en  he  heart  go  lak 
flutter-mill.  He  chune  up  lak  he  gwine  cry  : 
?  Whar  you  gwine  kyar  me,  Brer  Wolf?  ' 

{ f  Down  by  de  branch,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

"  <  Wat  you  gwine  down  dar  fer,  Brer  Wolf? ' 

' f  So  I  kin  git  some  water  ter  clean  you  wid  atter  I 
done-ekunt  you,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

f '  Please,  sir,  lemme  go,  Brer  Wolf.' 
'  You  talk  so  young  you  make  me   laff,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

r '  Dat  sparrer-grass  done  make  me  sick,  Brer  Wolf.' 
'  You  ull  be  sicker'n   dat  'fo'   I  git   done  wid   you, 
Brer  Rabbit.' 

f  Whar  I  come   fum  nobody  dast  ter  eat  sick  folks, 
Brer  Wolf.' 

?  Whar  I  come  fum  dey  aint  dast  ter  eat   no   yuther 
kin',  Brer  Rabbit.'" 

"Ole  Mr.  Rabbit  wuz  a-talkin',  mon,"  said  Aunt 
Tempy,  with  a  chuckle  that  caused  her  to  shake  like  a 
piece  of  jelly. 

"  Dey  went  on  dis  away,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
"  plum  twel  dey  git  ter  de  branch.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  beg  en 
cry,  en  cry  en  beg,  en  Brer  Wolf,  he  'fuse  en  grin,  en  grin 
en  'fuse.  Wen  dey  come  ter  de  branch,  Brer  Wolf  lay 
Brer  Rabbit  down  on  de  groun'  en  hilt  'im  dar,  en  den  he 


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BROTHER  WOLF  SAYS  GRACE.  155 

study  how  he  gwine  make  way  wid  'im.  He  study  en  he 
study,  en  w'iles  he  studyin'  Brer  Kabbit,  he  tuck'n  study 
some  on  he  own  hook. 

"Den  w'en  it  seem  lak  Brer  Wolf  done  fix  all  de 
'rangerments,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  lak  he  cry  in' 
wusser  en  wusser;  he  des  fa'rly  blubber." 

Uncle  Remus  gave  a  ludicrous  imitation  of  Brother 
Rabbit's  wailings. 

«  Ber  —  ber  —  Brer  Wooly  —  ooly  —  oolf !  Is  you 
gwine  —  is  you  gwine  ter  sakerfice-t  me  right  now  —  ow 

—  ow?' 

"  *  Dat  I  is,  Brer  Rabbit ;  dat  I  is.' 

"'  Well,  ef  I  blee-eedz  ter  be  kilt,  Brer  Wooly — ooly 

—  oolf,  I  wants  ter  be  kilt  right,  en  ef  I  blee-eedz  ter  be 
e't,  I  wants  ter  be  e't  ri  —  ight,  too,  now  ! ' 

"  '  How  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  ?  ' 

"'I  want  you  ter  show  yo'  p'liteness,  Brer  Wooly  — 
ooly  —  oolf ! ' 

" '  How  I  gwine  do  dat,  Brer  Rabbit?  ' 

"  '  I  want  you  ter  say  grace,  Brer  Wolf,  en  say  it  quick, 
kase  I  gittin'  mighty  weak.' 

" 'How  I  gwine  say  grace,  Brer  Rabbit?' 

"'Fol'  yo'  han's  und1  yo'  chin.  Brer  Wolf,  en  shet  yo' 
eyes,  en  say :  '  Bless  us  en  bine  us,  en  put  us  in  crack 
whar  de  Ole  Boy  can't  fine  us.'  Say  it  quick,  Brer  Wolf, 
kaze  I  failin'  mighty  fas'.'  " 

"  Now  aint  dat  des  too  much  !  "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy, 
as  delighted  as  the  little  boy.  Uncle  Remus  laughed 
knowingly  and  went  on  : 


156  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

"Brer  Wolf,  he  put  up  he  han's,  he  did,  en  shot  he 
eyes,  en  low, '  Bless  us  en  bine  us' ;  but  he  aint  git  no  fur- 
der,  kaze  des  time  he  take  up  he  han's,  Brer  Kabbit  fotch 
a  wiggle,  he  did,  en  lit  on  he  foots,  en  he  des  nataly  lef  a 
blue  streak  behime  'im." 

"  Ah-yi-ee  !  "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  while  Aunt  Tempy 
allowed  her  arms  to  drop  helplessly  from  her  lap  as  she 
cried  "  Dar  now  !  "  and  the  little  boy  clasped  his  hands  in 
an  ecstasy  of  admiration. 

' '  Oh,  I  just  knew  Brother  Kabbit  would  get  away," 
the  child  declared. 

"  Dat's  right,  honey,"  said  Uncle  Remus.  "  You  put 
yo'  pennunce  in  Brer  Rabbit  en  yo'  wont  be  fur  out  er  de 
way." 

There  was  some  further  conversation  among  the  negroes, 
but  it  was  mostly  plantation  gossip.  When  Aunt  Tempy 
rose  to  go,  she  said  : 

"Goodness  knows,  Brer  Remus,  ef  dis  de  way  you  all 
runs  on,  I'm  gwine  ter  pester  you  some  mo'.  Hit  come 
'cross  me  like  ole  times,  dat  it  do." 

"  Do  so,  Sis  Tempy,  do  so,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with 
dignified  hospitality.  "  You  allers  fine  a  place  at  my 
h'ath.  Ole  times  is  in  about  all  we  got  left'." 

"Trufe,  too  !"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy;  and  with  that 
she  took  the  child  by  the  hand  and  went  out  into  the 
darkness. 


SPIKITS,    SEEN    AND    UNSEEN.  157 

XXVIII. 
SPIRITS,   SEEN  AND  UNSEEN. 

IT  was  not  many  nights  before  the  same  company  was 
gathered  in  Uncle  Remus's  cabin,  — Daddy  Jack,  Aunt 
Tempy,  and  the  little  boy.  The  conversation  took  a  turn 
that  thrilled  the  child  with  mingled  fear  and  curiosity. 
Uncle  Remus  had  inquired  as  to  the  state  of  Aunt 
Tempy 's  health,  when  the  latter  came  in,  and  her  re- 
sponse was  : 

"  I  feelin'  mighty  creepy,  Brer  Remus,  sho'.  Look 
like  I  bleedz  ter  hunt  compn'y.  We'n  I  come  'long  down 
I  felt  dat  skittish  twel  ef  a  leaf  had  blow'd  'crost  de  paff, 
I'd  'a'  des  in  about  drapt  in  my  tracks." 

"How  come  dat,  Sis  Tempy?"  Uncle  Hemus  inquired. 

"You  know  dat  little  gal  er  Riah's?  Well,  I  uz 
settin'  up  dar  in  my  house  Vile  ergo,  w'en,  bless  gra- 
cious !  fus  news  I  know,  I  year  dat  chile  talkin'  in  the 
yuther  room.  I  'low  ter  myself,  she  aint  talkin'  ter 
Riah,  kaze  Riah  aint  come  yit,  un  den  I  crope  up,  un 
dar  wuz  de  chile  settin'  right  flat  in  de  middle  er  de  flo', 
laffin  uu  talkin'  un  makin'  motions  like  she  see  somebody 
in  de  cornder.  I  des  stood  dar  un  watch  'er,  un  I  aint  a 
livin'  human  ef  she  don't  do  like  dey  uz  somebody  er  n'er 
in  dar  wid  'er.  She  ax  um  fer  ter  stay  on  dey  own  side, 
un  den,  w'en  it  seem  like  dey  come  todes  'er,  den  she 
say  she  gwine  git  a  switch  un  drive  um  back.  Hit  make 


158  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

me  feel  so  cole  un  kuse  dat  I  des  tuck'n'  come  'way  fum 
dar,  un  ef  dey's  sump'n  n'er  dar,  hit'll  be  dem  un  Biah 
fer't." 

"'E  do  talk  wid  ghos' ;  'e  is  bin  larf  wit'  harnt,"  ex- 
claimed Daddy  Jack. 

"I  speck  dat's  'bout  de  upshot  un  it,"  said  Uncle 
Remus.  "  Dey  tells  me  dat  w'ence  you  year  chilluns 
talkin'  en  gwine  on  periently  wid  deyse'f,  der  er  bleedz 
ter  see  ha'nts." 

The  little  boy  moved  his  stool  closer  to  his  venerable 
partner.  Daddy  Jack  roused  himself. 

"  Oona  no  bin-a  see  dem  ghos'  ?  Oona  no  bin-a  see  dem 
harnt  ?  Hi !  I  is  bin-a  see  plenty  ghos' ;  I  no  'fraid  dem ; 
I  is  bin-a  punch  dem  'way  wit'  me  cane.  I  is  bin-a  shoo 
dem  'pon  dey  own  sied  da  road.  Dem  is  bin  walk  w'en 
da  moon  stan'  low ;  den  I  is  bin  shum.  Oona  no  walk 
wit'  me  dun.  'E  berry  bahd.  Oona  call,  dey  no 
answer.  Wun  dey  call,  hoi'  you'  mout'  shet.  'E  berry 
bahd  fer  mek  answer,  wun  da'  harnt  holler.  Dem  call-a 
you  'way  fum  dis  Ian'.  I  yeddy  dem  call ;  I  shetty  me 
y-eye,  I  shekkey  me  head. 

"  Wum  I  is  bin  noung  mahn,  me  der  go  fer  git  water, 
un  wun  I  der  dip  piggin  'neat'  da'  crik,  I  yeddy  vi'ce 
fer  call  me  —  *Jahckl  O  Jahckl*  I  stan',  I  lissen,  I 
yeddy  de  vi'ce  — f  Jahck !  Jahclc  !  O  Jalick  I '  I  tink 
'e  bin  Titty  Ann  ; l  I  ahx  um  : 

«  « Wey  you  bin  call-a  me,  Titty  Ann  ?  '  Titty  Ann 
'tretch  'e  y-eye  big  : 

1  Sissy  Ann. 


SPIEITS,    SEEN    AND    UNSEEN.  159 

"I  no  bin-a  call.  Dead  ghos'  is  bin-a  call.  Dem 
harnt  do  call-a  you/ 

"  Dun  I  rise  me  y-eye,  un  I  is  bin  shum  gwan  by  sun- 
down ;  'e  is  bin  gwan  bahckwud.  I  tell  Titty  Ann  fer 
look  at  we  nuncle,  gwan  bahckwud  by  sundown.  Titty 
Ann  pit  'e  two  ban'  'pon  me  y-eyes,  un  'e  do  bline  me. 
'E  say  I  bin-a  see  one  dead  ghos'." 

"What  then,  Daddy  Jack?"  asked  the  little  boy,  as 
the  old  African  paused. 

"Ki!  nuff  dun.  Kaze  bumbye,  so  long  tarn,  folks 
come  fetch-a  we  nuncle  'tretch  out.  'E  is  bin-a  tek  wit' 
da'  hecup  ;  'e  trow  'e  head  dis  way ;  'e  trow  'e  head  dat 
way."  Daddy  Jack  comically  suited  the  action  to  the 
word.  "'E  is  bin  tek-a  da'  Aecup  ;  da'  hecup  is  bin  tek 
um  —  da'  cramp  is  bin  fetch  um.  I  is  bin  see  mo'  dead 
ghos',  but  me  no  spot  um  lak  dis." 

"I  boun'  you  is,"  said  Uncle  Remus.  "Dey  tells  me, 
Brer  Jack,"  he  continued,  "dat  w'en  you  meets  up  wid 
one  er  deze  ha'nts,  ef  you'll  tak'n'  tu'n  yo'  coat  wrong- 
sud-outerds,  dey  won't  use  no  time  in  makin  der  disap- 
pearance." 

"Hey!"  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  "tu'n  coat  no  fer 
skeer  dead  ghos'.  'E  skeer  dem  Jack-me-Lantun.  One 
tarn  I  is  bin-a  mek  me  way  troo  t'ick  swamp.  I  do  come 
hot,  I  do  come  cole.  I  feel-a  me  bahck  quake  ;  me  br'et' 
come  fans'.  I  look ;  me  ent  see  nuttin' ;  I  lissen ;  me 
ent  yeddy  nuttin.  I  look,  dey  de  Jack-me-Lantun 
mekkin  'e  way  troo  de  bush  ;  'e  comin'  stret  by  me.  'E 
light  bin-a  flick-flicker ;  'e  git  close  un  close.  I  yent  kin 


1GO  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

stan'  dis  ;  one  foot  git  hefty,  da'  heer  'pon  me  head  lif '  up. 
Da'  Jack-me-Lantun,  'e  git-a  high,  'e  git-a  low,  'e  come 
close.  Dun  I  t'ink  I  bin-a  yeddy  ole  folks  talk  tu'n  yov? 
coat-sleef  wun  da  Jack-me-Lantum  is  bin  run  you.  I 
pull,  I  twis',  I  yerk  at  dem  jacket ;  'e  yent  come.  'E  is 
bin  grow  on  me  bahck.  Jack-me-Lantun  fly  close.  I  say 
me  pray  'pon  da  jacket ;  'e  is  bin-a  yerk  loose  ;  da  sleef 
e  do  tu'n.  Jack-me-Lantun,  'e  see  dis,  'e  lif  up,  'e  say 
*  Phew!'  'E  done  gone  !  Oona  no  walk  in  da'  swamp 
'cep'  you  is  keer  you'  coat  cross  da'  arm.  Enty  !  " 

"  Dat  w'at  make  me  say,"  remarked  Aunt  Tempy,  with 
a  little  shiver,  "  dat  'oman  like  me,  w'at  aint  w'ar  no 
jacket,  aint  got  no  business  traipsin  un  trollopin'  'roun' 
thoo  the  woods  atter  dark." 

"You  mout  tu'n  yo' head-hankcher,  Sis  Tempy,"  said 
Uncle  Remus,  reassuringly,  "  en  ef  dat  aint  do  no  good 
den  you  kin  whirl  in  en  gin  um  leg-bail." 

"  I  year  tell,"  continued  Aunt  Tempy,  vouchsafing  no 
reply  to  Uncle  Remus,  "dat  dish  yer  Jacky-ma-Lantun 
is  a  sho  nuff  sperit.  Sperits  aint  gwine  to  walk  un  walk 
less'n  dey  got  sump'n  n'er  on  der  min',  un  I  year  tell 
dat  dish  yer  Jacky-ma-Lantun  is  'casioned  by  a  man 
w'at  got  kilt.  Folks  kilt  'im  un  tuck  his  money,  un  now 
his  ha'nt  done  gone  un  got  a  light  fer  ter  hunt  up  whar 
his  money  is.  Mighty  kuse  ef  folks  kin  hone  atter 
money  w'en  dey  done  gone.  I  dunner  w'at  he  wanter  be 
ramblin'  'roun  wid  a  light  w'en  he  done  dead.  Ef  any- 
body got  any  hard  feelin's  'g'in  me,  I  want  um  ter  take 


SPIRITS,    SEEN    AND    UNSEEN.  161 

it  out  w'ile  deyer  in  de  flesh,  we'n  dey  come  a  ha'ntin' 
me,  den  I'm  done  — I'm  des  done." 

"  Are  witches  spirits  ?  "  the  little  boy  asked. 

The  inquiry  was  not  especially  directed  at  Daddy  Jack, 
but  Daddy  Jack  was  proud  of  his  reputation  as  a  witch, 
and  he  undertook  to  reply  : 

"None  't  all.  Witch,  'e  no  dead  ghos'  — 'e  life  folks, 
wey  you  shekky  han'  wit'.  Oona  witch  mebbe ;  how 
you  is  kin  tell?" 

Here  Daddy  Jack  turned  his  sharp  little  eyes  upon  the 
child.  The  latter  moved  closer  to  Uncle  Remus,  and 
said  he  hoped  to  goodness  he  wasn't  a  witch. 

"  How  you  is  kin  tell  diffran  'cep'  you  bin  fer  try  um  ?  " 
continued  Daddy  Jack.  "  'E  good  ting  fer  be  witch ; 
'e  mek-a  dem  folks  fred.  'E  mek-a  dem  fred ;  'e  mek-a 
dem  hoi'  da'  breV,  wun  dey  is  bin-a  come  by  you'  place." 

"In  de  name  er  de  Lord,  Daddy  Jack,  how  kin  folks 
tell  wh'er  dey  er  witches  er  no  ?  "  asked  Aunt  Tempy. 

"  Oo  !  'e  easy  nuff.  Wun  da'  moon  is  shiuii  low,  wet- 
a  you'  han'  wit'  da'  pot-licker  grease ;  rub  noung  heifer 
'pon  'e  nose ;  git  'pon'  'e  bahck.  Mus'  hoi'  um  by  'e 
year;  mus'  go  gallop,  gallop  down  da'  lane,  tell  'e  do 
come  'cross  one-a  big  gully.  Mus'  holler,  *  Double, 
double,  double  up!  double,  double,  double  up!  Heifer 
jump,  oona  witch  ;  heifer  no  jump,  oona  no  witch." 

"  Did  you  ever  ride  a  heifer,  Daddy  Jack  ?  "  asked  the 
little  boy. 

"  Mo'  tarn  es  dem,"  replied  the  old  negro  3  holding  up 
the  crooked  fingers  of  one  withered  hand.* 


162  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Did  —  did  she  jump  across  the  big  gully  ?" 

The  child's  voice  had  dropped  to  an  awed  whisper,  and 
there  was  a  glint  of  malicious  mischief  in  Daddy  Jack's 
shrewd  eyes,  as  he  looked  up  at  Uncle  Remus.  He  got 
his  cue.  Uncle  Remus  groaned  heavily  and  shook  his 
head. 

"  Hoo  ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  "  wun  I  is  bin-a  tell 
all,  dey  no  mo'  fer  tell.  Mus'  kip  some  fer  da'  Sunday. 
Lilly  b'y  no  fred  dem  witch;  'e  no  bodder  lilly  b'y. 
Witch,  'e  no  rassel  wit'  'e  ebry-day  'quaintan' ;  'e  do  go 
pars  'e  own  place." 

It  was  certainly  reassuring  for  the  child  to  be  told  that 
witches  didn't  trouble  little  boys,  and  that  they  com- 
mitted their  depredations  outside  of  their  own  neighbor- 
hood. 

"I  is  bin-a  yeddy  dem  talk  'bout  ole  witch.  'E  do 
leaf  'e  skin  wey  'e  is  sta't  fum.  Man  bin-a  come  pars 
by  ;  'e  is  fine  dem  skin.  'E  say  : 

?  f  Ki !  'E  one  green  skin ;  I  fix  fer  dry  um.' 

"  Man  hang  um  by  da'  fier.  Skin,  'e  do  swink,  'e  do 
swivel.  Bumbye  'e  do  smell-a  bahd ;  man,  'e  hoi'  'e 
nose.  'E  do  wait.  Skin  swink,  skin  stink,  skin  swivel. 
'E  do  git  so  bahd,  man  pitch  um  in  da'  ya'd.  'E  wait ; 
'e  is  wait,  'e  is  lissen.  Bumbye,  'e  yeddy  da'  witch  come. 
Witch,  'e  do  sharp'  'e  claw  on-a  da'  fence ;  'e  is  snap  'e 
jaw — flick!  flick!  flick!  'E  come-a  hunt  fer  him  skin. 
'E  fine  un.  'E  trey  um  on  dis  way ;  'e  no  fit.  'E  trey 
'um  on  dat  way ;  'e  no  fit.  'E  trey  um  on  turrer  way ; 
'e  no  fit.  'E  pit  um  'pon  'e  head ;  skin  'e  no  fit.  'E 


SPIRITS,    SEEN    AND    UNSEEN.  163 

pit  um  'pon  'efoot;  skin  'e  no  fit.  'E  cuss,  'e  sweer; 
skin  'e  no  fit.  'E  cut  'e  caper ;  skin  'e  no  fit.  Bumbye 
'e  holler : 

Et'Tiss-a  me,  Skin  !  wey  you  no  know  me?  Skin,  'tiss-a 
me  !  wey  you  no  know  me  ?  " 

"Skin,  'e  no  talk  nuttin'  'tall.  Witch  'e  do  jump, 
'e  do  holler ;  a  mek  no  diffran.  Skin  'e  talk  nuttin'  'tall. 
Man,  'e  tekky  to'ch,  'e  look  in  ya'd.  'E  see  big  blahck 
Woolf  lay  by  da'  skin.  'E  toof  show ;  'e  y-eye  shiim. 
Man  drife  um  'way ;  'e  is  come  bahck.  Man  bu'n  da' 
skin ;  'e  is  bin-a  come  bahck  no  mo'." 

The  little  boy  asked  no  more  questions.  He  sat  silent 
while  the  others  talked,  and  then  went  to  the  door  and 
looked  out.  It  was  very  dark,  and  he  returned  to  his 
stool  with  a  troubled  countenance. 

"Des  wait  a  little  minnit,  honey,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
dropping  his  hand  caressingly  on  the  child's  shoulder. 
"  I  bleedz  ter  go  up  dar  ter  de  big  house  fer  ter  see  Mars 
John,  en  I'll  take  you  'long  fer  comp'ny." 

And  so,  after  a  while,  the  old  man  and  the  little  boy 
went  hand  in  hand  up  the  path. 


164  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 


XXIX. 

A  GHOST  STORY. 

THE  next  time  the  little  boy  visited  Uncle  Eemus  he 
persuaded  'Tildy  to  go  with  him.  Daddy  Jack  was  in  his 
usual  place,  dozing  and  talking  to  himself,  while  Uncle 
Remus  oiled  the  carriage-harness.  After  a  while  Aunt 
Tempy  came  in. 

The  conversation  turned  on  Daddy  Jack's  story  about 
"  haunts  "  and  spirits.  Finally  'Tildy  said  : 

"  Wen  it  come  ter  tales  'bout  ha'nts,"  said  she,  "  I  year 
tell  er  one  dat'll  des  natally  make  de  kinks  on  yo'  head 
onquile  deyse'f." 

"  Wat  tale  dat,  chile  ?  "  asked  Aunt  Tempy. 

"  Unk'  Remus,  mus'  I  tell  it?  " 

"  Let  'er  come,"  said  Uncle  Remus. 

"Well,  den,"  said 'Tildy,  rolling  her  eyes  back  and 
displaying  her  white  teeth,  "  one  time  dey  wuz  a  'Oman 
en  a  Man.  Seem  like  dey  live  close  ter  one  er  n'er,  en  de 
Man  he  sot  his  eyes  on  de  'Oman,  en  de  'Oman,  she  des 
went  'long  en  ten'  ter  her  bizness.  Man,  he  keep  his 
eyes  sot  on  'er.  Bimeby,  de  'Oman,  she  ten'  ter  her  biz- 
ness  so  much  tell  she  tuck'n  tuck  sick  en  die.  Man,  he 
up'n  tell  de  folks  she  dead,  en  de  folks  dey  come  en  fix 
'er.  Dey  lay  'er  out,  en  dey  light  some  candles,  en  dey 


A  GHOST   STORY.  165 

sot  up  wid  'er,  des  like  folks  does  now ;  en  dey  put  two 
great  big  roun'  shiny  silver  dollars  on  'er  eyes  fer  ter  hoi' 
'er  eyeleds  down." 

In  describing  the  silver  dollars  'Tildy  joined  the  ends 
of  her  thumbs  and  fore-fingers  together,  and  made  a  figure 
as  large  as  a  saucer. 

"  Dey  wuz  lots  bigger  dan  dollars  is  deze  days,"  she 
continued,  "  en  dey  look  mighty  purty.  Seem  like  dey 
wuz  all  de  money  de  'Oman  got,  en  de  folks  dey  put  um 
on  'er  eyeleds  fer  to  hoi'  um  doWn.  Den  w'en  de  folks 
do  dat  dey  call  up  de  Man  en  take'n  tell  'im  dat  he  mus' 
dig  a  grave  en  bury  de  'Oman,  en  den  dey  all  went  off 
'bout  der  bizness. 

"Well,  den,  de  Man,  he  tuck'n  dig  de  grave  en  make 
ready  fer  ter  bury  de  'Oman.  He  look  at  dat  money  on 
'er  eyeleds,  en  it  shine  mighty  purty.  Den  he  tuck  it  off 
en  feel  it.  Hit  feel  mighty  good,  but  des  'bout  dat  time 
de  Man  look  at  de  'Oman,  en  he  see  'er  eyeleds  open. 
Look  like  she  lookin'  at  'im,  en  he  take'n  put  de  money 
whar  he  git  it  fum. 

"  Well,  den,  de  Man,  he  take'n  git  a  waggin  en  haul  de 
'Oman  out  ter  de  buryin'-groun',  en  w'en  ho  git  dar  he  fix 
ever'thing,  en  den  he  grab  de  money  en  kivver  up  de  grave 
right  quick.  Den  he  go  home,  en  put  de  money  in  a  tin 
box  en  rattle  it  'roun'.  Hit  rattle  loud  en  hit  rattle  nice, 
but  de  Man,  he  aint  feel  so  good.  Seem  like  he  know  de 
'Oman  eyeled  stretch  wide  open  lookin'  fer  'im.  Yit  he 
rattle  de  money  'roun',  en  hit  rattle  loud  en  hit  rattle  nice. 

"Well,  den,  de  Man,  he  take'n  put  de  tin  box  w'at  de 


166  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE   REMUS. 

money  in  on  de  mantel-shel-uf.  De  day  go  by,  en  de 
night  come,  en  w'en  night  come  de  win'  'gun  ter  rise  up 
en  blow.  Hit  rise  high,  hit  blow  strong.  Hit  blow  on 
top  er  de  house,  hit  blow  und'  de  house,  hit  blow  'roun' 
de  house.  Man,  he  feel  quare.  He  set  by  de  fier  en  lissen. 
Win'  say  *  Buzz-zoo-o-o-o-of9  Man  lissen.  Win'  holler 
en  cry.  Hit  blow  top  er  de  house,  hit  blow  und'  de 
house,  hit  blow  roun'  de  house,  hit  blow  in  de  house. 
Man  git  closte  up  in  de  chimbly-jam.  Win'  fin'  de  cracks 
en  blow  in  um.  *Bizzi/,  bizzy,  buzz-zoo-o-o-o-o  I ' 

w  Well,  den,  Man,  he  lissen,  lissen,  but  bimeby  he  git 
tired  er  dis,  en  he  low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  gwine  ter  bed. 
He  tuck'n  fling  a  fresh  light'd  knot  in  de  fier,  en  den  he 
jump  in  de  bed,  en  quile  hisse'f  up  en  put  his  head  und'  de 
kivver.  Win'  hunt  fer  de  cracks  —  bizzy-buzz,  bizzy- 
buzz,  buzz-zoo-o-o-o-o-o  1  Man  keep  his  head  und'  de 
kivver.  Light'd  knot  flar'  up  en  flicker.  Man  aint  dast 
ter  move.  Win'  blow  en  w'issel  Phew-fee-e-e-e  I  Light'd 
knot  flicker  en  flar'.  Man,  he  keep  his  head  kivvud. 

"  Well,  den,  Man  lay  dar,  en  git  skeer'der  en  skeer'der. 
He  aint  dast  ter  wink  his  eye  skacely,  en  seem  like  he 
gwine  ter  have  swamp  agur.  Wiles  he  layin'  dar  shakin', 
en  de  win'  a  blowin',  en  de  fier  flickin',  he  year  some 
yuther  kind  er  fuss.  Hit  mighty  kuse  kind  er  fuss. 
Clinkity,  clinkalinkle  1  Man  'low: 

' '  Hey  !  who  stealin'  my  money  ? ' 

"  Yit  he  keep  his  head  kivvud  w'iles  he  lay  en  lissen. 
He  year  de  win'  blow,  en  den  he  year  dat  yuther  kinder 
fuss — Glinkity^  clink ,  clinkity ,  clinkalinkle  !  Well, 


A  GHOST   STORY.  167 

den,  he  fling  offde  kivver  en  sot  right  up  in  de  bed.  He 
look,  he  aint  see  nothin'.  De  fier  flicker  en  flar'  en  de 
win'  blow.  Man  go  en  put  chain  en  bar  'cross  de  do'. 
Den  he  go  back  to  bed,  en  he  aint  mo'n  totch  his  head  on 
de  piller  tell  he  year  de  yuther  fuss  —  clinic,  clinic, 
clinkity,  clinlcalinlcle I  Man  rise  up,  he  aint  see  nothin' 
'tall.  Mighty  quare  ! 

"  Des  'bout  time  he  gwine  ter  lay  down  'gin',  yer  come 
de  fuss  —  clinkity,  clinlcalinkle.  Hit  soun'  like  it  on  de 
mantel-shel-uf ;  'let  'lone  dat,  hit  soun'  like  it  in  de  tin- 
box  on  de  mantel-shel-uf;  'let  'lone  dat,  hit  soun'  like  it 
de  money  in  de  tin  box  on  de  mantel-shel-uf.  Man 
say : 

f  f  Hey  !  rat  done  got  in  box  ! ' 

"  Man  look  ;  no  rat  dar.  He  shet  up  de  box,  en  set  it 
down  on  de  shel-uf.  Time  he  do  dat  yer  come  de  fuss  — 
clinkity,  clinkity,  clinkalinkle!  Man  open  de  box 
en  look  at  de  money.  Dem  two  silver  dollars  layin'  in 
dar  des  like  he  put  um.  Wiles  de  man  dun  dis,  look 
like  he  kin  year  sump'n  say  'way  off  yander : 

'  Whar  my  money?     Oh,  gim  me  my  money  I* 

"Man,  he  sot  de  box  back  on  de  shel-uf,  en  time  he  put 
it  down  he  year  de  money  rattle  —  clinkity,  clinlcalinkle, 
clinic  1  —  en  den  fum  'way  off  yander  sump'n  say  : 

"  Oh,  gim  me  my  money!     I  want  my  money!1 

"  Well,  den,  de  Man  git  skeer'd  sho  miff,  en  he  got  er 
flat-iiin  en  put  on  de  tin  box,  en  den  he  tuck'n  pile  all  de 
cheers  'gin  de  do',  en  run  en  jump  in  de  bed.  He  des 
know  dey's  a  booger  comin'.  Time  he  git  in  bed  en  kivver 


168  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

his  head,  de  money  rattle  louder,  en  sump'n  cry  'way  off 
yander : 

' '  I  want  my  money!     Oh,  gim  me  my  money  1 ' 

"  Man,  he  shake  en  he  shiver ;  money,  hit  clink  en 
rattle ;  booger,  hit  holler  en  cry.  Booger  come  closter, 
money  clink  louder.  Man  shake  wusser  en  wusser.  Money 
say:  '  Clinkity,  clinlcalinlcle  !  '  Booger  cry,  '  Oh,  gim 
me  my  money  I9  Man  holler,  '  0  Lordy,  Lordyl* 

"  Well,  den,  hit  keep  on  dis  away,  tell  dreckly  Man  year 
de  do'  open.  He  peep  fum  und'  de  kivver,  en  in  walk  de 
'Oman  w'at  he  done  bury  in  de  buryin'-groun'.  Man 
shiver  en  shiver,  win'  blow  en  blow,  money  rattle  en  rattle, 
'Oman  cry  en  cry.  ' Buzz-zoo-o-o-o-ol*  sez  de  win'; 
*  ClinJcalinlc!  '  sez  de  box  ;  f  OA,  gimme  my  money!'  sez 
de  'Oman;  *0  Lordyl*  sez  de  Man.  'Oman  year  de 
money,  but  look  like  she  aint  kin  see,  en  she  grope  'roun', 
en  grope  'roun',  en  grope  'roun'  wid  'er  han'  h'ist  in  de 
a'r  des  dis  away." 

Here  'Tildy  stood  up,  pushed  her  chair  back  with  her 
foot,  raised  her  arms  over  her  head,  and  leaned  forward 
in  the  direction  of  Daddy  Jack. 

"Win'  blow,  fier  nicker,  money  rattle,  Man  shake  en 
shiver,  'Oman  grope  'roun'  en  say,  *  Gim  me  my  money  I 
Oh,  who  got  my  money  9 ' ' 

'Tildy  advanced  a  few  steps. 

"  Money  look  like  it  gwine  ter  t'ar  de  tin  box  all  ter 
flinders.  'Oman  grope  en  cry,  grope  en  cry,  tell  bimeby 
she  jump  on  de  man  en  holler  : 

K '  You  got  my  money  I ' ' 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT.       169 

As  she  reached  this  climax,  'Tildy  sprang  at  Daddy 
Jack  and  seized  him,  and  for  a  few  moments  there  was 
considerable  confusion  in  the  corner.  The  little  boy  was 
frightened,  but  the  collapsed  appearance  of  Daddy  Jack 
convulsed  him  with  laughter.  The  old  African  was  very 
angry.  His  little  eyes  glistened  with  momentary  malice, 
and  he  shook  his  cane  threateningly  at  'Tildy.  The  latter 
coolly  adjusted  her  ear-rings,  as  she  exclaimed : 

"  Dar,  now  I  I  know'd  I'd  git  even  wid  de  ole  vilyun. 
Come  a-callin'  me  pidjin-toed  !  " 

"  Better  keep  yo'  eye  on  'im,  chile,"  said  Aunt  Tempy. 
"  He  'witch  you,  sho." 

"'Witch  who?  Ef  he  come  witchin'  'roun'  me,  I  lay,  I 
break  his  back.  I  tell  you  dat  right  pine-blank." 


XXX. 

BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT. 

THE  little  boy  was  very  glad,  one  night  shortly  after  he 
had  heard  about  Daddy  Jack's  ghosts  and  witches  and 
'Tildy 's  "  ha'nts,"  to  find  Uncle  Remus  alone  in  his  cabin. 
The  child  liked  to  have  his  venerable  partner  all  to  him- 
self. Uncle  Remus  was  engaged  in  hunting  for  tobacco 
crumbs  with  which  to  fill  his  pipe,  and  in  turning  his 
pockets  a  rabbit  foot  dropped  upon  the  hearth. 

"  Grab  it,  honey  I "  he  exclaimed.     "  Snatch  it  up  ofFn 


170  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  KEMUS. 

de  h'ath.  In  de  name  er  goodness,  don't  let  it  git  in  de 
embers ;  kase  ef  dat  ar  rabbit  foot  git  singe,  I'm  a  goner, 
sho  ! " 

It  was  the  hind  foot  of  a  rabbit,  and  a  very  large  one 
at  that,  and  the  little  boy  examined  it  curiously.  He  was 
in  thorough  sympathy  with  all  the  superstitions  of  the 
negroes,  and  to  him  the  rabbit  foot  appeared  to  be  an  un- 
canny affair.  He  placed  it  carefully  on  Uncle  Remus's 
knee,  and  after  the  pipe  had  been  filled,  he  asked : 
"  What  do  you  carry  that  for,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 
"  Well,  honey,"  responded  the  old  man,  grimly,  "  ef 
you  want  me  ter  make  shorts  out'n  a  mighty  long  tale,  dat 
rabbit  foot  is  fer  ter  keep  off  boogers.  W'en  I  hatter 
run  er'n's  fer  myse'f  all  times  er  night,  en  take  nigh  cuts 
thoo  de  woods,  en  'cross  by  de  buryin'-groun',  hits  mon- 
st'us  handy  fer  ter  have  dat  ar  rabbit  foot.  Keep  yo' 
head  studdy,  now ;  mine  yo'  eye ;  I  aint  sayin'  deyer  any 
boogers  anywhars.  Brer  Jack  kin  say  w'at  he  mineter ; 
I  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  But  yit,  ef  dey  wuz  any,  en 
dey  come  elinkin'  atter  me,  I  let  you  know  dey'd  fine 
out  terreckly  dat  de  ole  nigger  heel'd  wid  rabbit  foot. 
I'ud  hoF  it  up  des  dis  away,  en  I  boun'  you  I'd  shoo  um 
off 'n  de  face  er  de  yeth.  En  I  tell  you  w'at,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  seeing  that  the  little  boy  was  somewhat 
troubled,  "  w'en  it  come  to  dat  pass  dat  you  gotter  be 
dodgin'  'roun'  in  de  dark,  ef  you'll  des  holler  fer  me,  I'll 
loan  you  dish  yer  rabbit  foot,  en  you'll  be  des  ez  safe 
ez  you  is  w'en  Miss  Sally  stannin'  by  yo'  bed  wid  a  lit 
can'le  in  'er  han'. 


BROTHER  RABBIT   AND   HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT.      171 

"  Strip  er  red  flannil  tied  'roun'  yo'  arm'll  keep  off  de 
rheumatis ;  stump-water  '11  kyo  'spepsy ;  some  good  fer 
one  'zeeze,1  en  some  good  fer  n'er,  but  de  p'ints  is  dat 
dish  yer  rabbit  foot  '11  gin  you  good  luck.  De  man  w'at 
tote  it  mighty  ap'  fer  ter  come  out  right  een'  up  wen  dey's 
any  racket  gwine  on  in  de  neighborhoods,  let  'er  be  whar 
she  will  en  w'en  she  may ;  mo'  espeshually  ef  de  man  w'at 
got  it  know  'zactly  w'at  he  got  ter  do.  Wite  folks  may 
laugh,"  Uncle  Eemus  went  on,  "but  w'en  rabbit  run 
'cross  de  big  road  front  er  me,  w'at  does  I  do?  Does  I 
shoo  at  um  ?  Does  I  make  fer  ter  kill  um  ?  Dat  I  don't 
—  dat  I  don't !  I  des  squots  right  down  in  de  middle  er 
de  road,  en  I  makes  a  cross-mark  in  de  san  des  dis  way, 
en  den  I  spits  in  it."  2 

Uncle  Remus  made  a  practical  illustration  by  drawing  a 
cross-mark  in  the  ashes  on  the  hearth. 

"  Well,  but,  Uncle  Remus,  what  good  does  all  this  do  ?  " 
the  little  boy  asked. 

"Lots  er  good,  honey;  bless  yo'  soul,  lots  er  good. 
W'en  rabbit  crosses  yo'  luck,  w'at  you  gwine  do,  less'n 
you  sets  down  en  crosses  it  out,  right  den  and  dar  ?  I 
year  talk  er  folks  shootin'  rabbit  in  de  big  road,  yit  I 
notices  dat  dem  w'at  does  de  shootin'  aint  come  ter  no 
good  een'  —  dat  w'at  I  notices." 

"  Uncle  Remus,"  the  little  boy  asked,   after  a  while, 

1  Disease. 

2  It,  as  some  ethnologists  claim,  the  animal  myths  are  relics  of  zootheism, 
there  can  scarcely  be  a  doubt  that  the  practice  here  described  by  Uncle  Remus 
is  the  survival  of  some  sort  of  obeisance  or  genuflexion  by  which  the  negroes 
recognized  the  presence  of  the  Rabbit,  the  great  centrai  n'gure  and  wonder- 
worker of  African  mythology. 


172  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

w  how  did  people  happen  to  find  out  about  the  rabbit's 
foot?" 

"  Oh,  you  let  folks  'lone  fer  dat,  honey  !  You  des  let 
um  'lone.  Wat  de  wimmen  aint  up'n  tell  bidout  anybody 
axin'  un  um,  folks  mighty  ap'  fer  ter  fine  out  fer  deyse'f. 
De  wimmen,  dey  does  de  talkin'  en  de  flyin',  en  de  mens, 
dey  does  de  walkin'  en  de  pryin',  en  betwixt  en  betweenst 
um,  dey  aint  much  dat  don't  come  out.  Ef  don't  come 
out  one  day  it  do  de  nex',  en  so  she  goes  —  Ant'ny  over, 
Ant'ny  under  —  up  one  row  en  down  de  udder,  en  clean 
acrosst  de  bolly-patch  !  " 

It  may  be  that  the  child  didn't  understand  all  this,  but 
he  had  no  doubt  of  its  wisdom,  and  so  he  waited  patiently 
for  developments. 

"Dey's  a  tale  'bout  de  rabbit  foot,"  continued  Uncle 
Remus,  "  but  yo'  eye  look  watery,  like  ole  man  Nod  'bout 
ter  slip  up  behime  you ;  en  let  'lone  dat,  I  speck  Miss 
Sally  clock  clickin'  fer  you  right  now." 

"Oh,  no,  it  isn't,  Uncle  Remus,"  said  the  child,  laugh- 
ing. "Mamma  said  she'd  make  'Tildy  call  me." 

"  Dar,  now ! "  exclaimed  the  old  man,  indignantly, 
:t  'Tildy  dis  en  'Tildy  dat.  I  dunner  w'at  yo'  mammy 
dreamin'  'bout  fer  ter  let  dat  nigger  gal  be  a-holl'in'  en 
a-bawlin'  atter  you  all  'roun'  dish  yer  plan'ation.  She  de 
mos'  uppity  nigger  on  de  hill,  en  de  fus'  news  you  know 
dey  ull  all  hatter  make  der  bows  en  call  'er  Mistiss.  Ef 
ole  Miss  wuz  'live,  dey  wouldn't  be  no  sech  g wines  on 
'roun'  yer.  But  nummine.1  You  des  let  'er  come  a-cut- 

1  Never  mind. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND   HIS   FAMOUS   FOOT.      173 

tin'  up  front  er  my  do',  en  I  lay  you'll  year  squallin'.  Now, 
den,"  continued  the  old  man,  settling  himself  back  in  his 
chair,  "  wharbouts  wuz  I  ?  " 

"  You  said  there  was  a  tale  about  the  rabbit  foot,"  the 
little  boy  replied. 

"  So  dey  is,  honey  !  so  dey  is  1 "  Uncle  Remus  exclaimed, 
"  but  she  got  so  many  crooks  en  tu'ns  in  'er  dat  I  dunner 
but  w'at  I  aint  done  gone  en  fergotted  some  un  um  off'n 
my  min' ;  kaze  ole  folks  lak  me  knows  lots  mo'  dan  w'at 
dey  kin  'member. 

"  In  de  days  w'ence  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  sorter  keepin'  de 
neighborhoods  stirred  up,  de  yuther  creeturs  wuz  studyin' 
en  studyin'  de  whole  blessid  time  how  dey  gwine  ter 
nab  'im.  Dey  aint  had  no  holiday  yit,  kaze  w'en  de 
holiday  come,  dey'd  go  ter  wuk,  dey  would,  en  juggle 
wid  one  er  n'er  fer  ter  see  how  dey  gwine  ter  ketch  up 
with  Brer  Rabbit.  Bimeby,  w'en  all  der  plans,  en  der 
traps,  en  der  jugglements  aint  do  no  good,  dey  all 
'gree,  dey  did,  dat  Brer  Rabbit  got  some  cunjerment 
w'at  he  trick  um  wid.  Brer  B'ar,  he  up'n  low,  he 
did,  dat  he  boun'  Brer  Rabbit  is  anat'al  bawn  witch ;  Brer 
Wolf  say,  sezee,  dat  he  speck  Brer  Rabbit  des  in  cahoots 
wid  a  witch ;  en  Brer  Fox,  he  vow  dat  Brer  Rabbit  got 
mo'  luck  dan  smartness.  Den  Jedge  B'ar,  he  drap  he 
head  one  side,  he  did,  en  he  ax  how  come  Brer  Rabbit  got 
all  de  luck  on  he  own  side.  De  mo'  dey  ax,  de  mo'  dey 
git  pestered,  en  de  mo'  dey  git  pestered,  de  wuss  dey 
worry.  Day  in  en  day  out  dey  wuk  wid  dis  puzzlement ; 
let  'lone  dat,  dey  sot  up  nights ;  en  bimeby  dey  'gree 


174  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE  KEMUS. 

'mungs  deyse'f  dat  dey  better  make  up  wid  Brer  Kabbit, 
en  see  ef  dey  can't  fine  out  how  come  he  so  lucky. 

"Wiles  all  dis  gwine  on,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  a-gal- 
lopin'  'roun'  fum  Funtown  ter  Frolicville,  a-kickin'  up  de 
devilment  en  terrifyin'  de  neighborhoods.  Hit  keep  on 
dis  away,  twel  one  time,  endurin'  de  odd-come-shorts,1 
ole  Jedge  B'ar  sont  wud  dat  one  er  his  chilluns  done  bin 
tooken  wid  a  sickness,  en  he  ax  wont  ole  Miss  Rabbit 
drap  'roun'  en  set  up  wid  im.  Ole  Miss  Rabbit,  she  say, 
co'se  she  go,  en  atter  she  fill  'er  satchy  full  er  yerbs  en 
truck,  off  she  put. 

"  I  done  fergit,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  scratching  his  head 
gravely,  "w'ichone  er  dem  chilluns  wuz  ailin'.  Hitmout 
er  bin  Kubs,  en  hit  mout  er  bin  Klibs  ;  but  no  marter  fer 
dat.  Wen  ole  Miss  Rabbit  git  dar,  ole  Miss  B'ar  wuz 
a-settin'  up  in  de  chimbly-cornder  des  a-dosin'  en  a-nussin' 
de  young  un ;  en  all  de  wimmin  er  de  neighborhoods  wuz 
dar,  a-whispun  en  a-talkin',  des  fer  all  de  worP  lak  wini- 
min  does  deze  days.  It  uz  : 

"  Come  right  in,  Sis  Rabbit !  I  mighty  proud  to  see 
you.  I  mighty  glad  you  fotch  yo'  knittin',  kaze  I'm 
pow'ful  po'  comp'ny  w'en  my  chillun  sick.  Des  fling  yo' 
bonnet  on  de  bed  dar.  I'm  dat  flustrated  twel  I  dunner 
w'ich  eens  up,  skacely.  Sis  Wolf,  han'  Sis  Rabbit  dat 
rockin'-cheer  dar,  kaze  'taint  no  one  step  fum  her  house 
ter  mine.' 

"  Dat  de  way  ole  Miss  B'ar  run  on,"  continued  Uncle 

1  Sometime,  any  time,  no  time.  Thus :  "  Run  fetch  me  de  ax,  en  I'll  wait 
on  you  one  er  deze  odd-come-shorts." 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND   HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT.      175 

Eemus,  "  en  dey  set  dar  en  dey  chatter  an  dey  clatter. 
Ole  Brer  Wolf,  he  'uz  settin'  out  on  de  back  peazzer 
smokin'  en  noddin'.  He  'ud  take  en  draw  a  long  whiff, 
he  would,  en  den  he  'ud  drap  off  ter  noddin'  en  let  de 
smoke  oozle  out  t-hoo  he  noze.  Bimeby  ole  Sis  Rabbit 
drap  'er  knittin'  in  'er  lap,  en  sing  out,  sez  she : 

"  '  Law,  Sis  B'ar  !    I  smells  'barker  smoke,'  sez  she. 

"  Ole  Sis  B'ar,  she  jolt  up  de  sick  baby,  en  swap  it  fum 
one  knee  ter  de  yuther,  en  'low  : 

' '  My  ole  man  bin  smokin'  'roun'  yer  de  whole  blessid 
day,  but  soon'z  dish  yer  chile  tuck  sick,  I  des  tuck'n  tole 
'im,  eez  I,  fer  ter  take  hisse'f  off  in  de  woods  whar  he 
b'long  at,  sez  I.  Yessum !  I  did  dat !  I  pities  any 
'oman  w'at  'er  ole  man  is  fe'r'verlastin'  stuck  'roun'  de  house 
w'en  dey's  any  sickness  gwine  on,'  sez  she. 

"  Ole  Brer  Wolf  sot  out  dar  on  de  back  peazzer,  en  he 
shot  one  eye,  he  did,  en  open  um  'g'in,  en  let  de  smoke 
oozle  out'n  he  nose.  Sis  B'ar,  she  jolt  de  sick  baby  en 
swap  it  fum  one  knee  ter  de  yuther.  Dey  sot  dar  en 
talk  twel  bimeby  der  confab  sorter  slack  up.  Fus  news 
dey  know  Sis  Rabbit  drap  'er  knittin'  en  fling  up  'er  han's 
en  squall  out : 

' '  De  gracious  en  de  goodness  !  Ef  I  aint  done  come 
traipsin  off  en  lef  my  ole  man  money-pus,  en  he  got 
sump'n  in  dar  w'at  he  wont  take  a  purty  fer,  needer  !  I'm 
dat  fergitful,'  sez  she,  '  twel  hit  keep  me  mizerbul  mighty 
nigh  de  whole  time,'  sez  she. 

*  Brer  Wolf,  he  lif  up  he  year  en  open  he  eye,  en  let 
de  smoke  oozle  out'n  he  nose.  Sis  B'ar,  she  jolt  de  sick 


176  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE   KEMUS. 

baby   wuss    en    wuss,    en    bimeby,    she   up'n    say,    sez 
she  : 

' '  I  mighty  glad  'taint  me,  dat  I  is,'  sez  she,  '  bekase  ef 
I  wuz  ter  leP  my  ole  man  money-pus  lay  in'  'roun'  dat 
away,  he'd  des  nat'ally  rip  up  de  planks  in  de  flo',  en 
t'ar  all  de  bark  oflPn  de  trees,'  sez  she. 

"  Ole  Miss  Rabbit,  she  sot  dar,  she  did,  en  she  rock  en 
study,  en  study  en  rock,  en  she  dunner  w'at  ter  do.  Ole 
Sis  B'ar,  she  jolt  en  jolt  de  baby.  Ole  Brer  Wolf,  he 
let  de  'barker  smoke  oozle  thoo  he  nose,  he  did,  en  den  he 
open  bofe  eyes  en  lay  he  pipe  down.  Wid  dat,  he  crope 
down  de  back  steps  en  lit  out  fer  Brer  Rabbit  house. 
Brer  Wolf  got  gait  same  lak  race-hoss,  en  it  aint  take  'im 
long  fer  ter  git  whar  he  gwine.  W'en  he  git  ter  Brer 
Rabbit  house,  he  pull  de  latch-string  en  open  de  do',  en 
w'en  he  do  dis,  one  er  de  little  Rabs  wake  up,  en  he  holler 
out  : 

f f  Dat  you,  main  my  ? ' 

"  Den  Brer  Wolf  wish  he  kin  sing  '  Bye-O-Baby,'  but 
fo'  he  kin  make  answer,  de  little  Rab  holler  out  'g'in  : 
' '  Dat  you,  mammy  ?  ' 

"  Ole  Brer  Wolf  know  he  got  ter  do  sump'n,  so  he 
tuck'n  w'isper,  he  did  : 

: '  Sh-sh-sh  !  Go  ter  sleep,  honey.  De  boogers  '11  git 
you ! '  en  wid  dat  de  little  Rab  'gun  ter  whimple,  en  he 
whimple  hisse'f  off  ter  sleep. 

"Den  w'en  it  seem  lak  de  little  Rabs,  w'ich  dey  wuz 
mighty  nigh  forty-eleven  un  um,  is  all  gone  ter  sleep,  Brer 
Wolf  he  crope  'roun',  he  did,  en  feel  OK  de  mantel-shelf, 


BKOTHER  BABBIT  AND   HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT.      177 

en  feel,  en  feel,  twel  he  come  ter  ole  Brer  Rabbit  money- 
pus.  Ef  he  want  so  light  wid  he  han',"  Uncle  Remus 
went  on,  glancing  quizzically  at  the  child,  "  he'd  a  knock  off 
de  pollygollic  vial  w'at  ole  Miss  Rabbit  put  up  dar.  But 
nummine  !  Brer  Wolf,  he  feel,  en  feel,  twel  he  come  ter 
de  money-pus,  en  he  grab  dat,  he  did,  en  he  des  flew'd 
away  fum  dar. 

"  Wen  he  git  out  er  sight  en  year'n',  Brer  Wolf  look  at 
de  money-pus,  en  see  w'at  in  it.  Hit  'uz  one  er  deze  yer 
kinder  money-puz  wid  tossle  on  de  een'  en  shiny  rings  in 
de  middle.  Brer  Wolf  look  in  dar  fer  ter  see  w'at  he  kin 
see.  In  one  een'  dey  wuz  a  piece  er  calamus-root  en  some 
collard-seeds,  en  in  de  t'er  een'  dey  wuz  a  great  big  rabbit 
foot.  Dis  make  Brer  Wolf  feel  mighty  good,  en  he  gallop 
off  home  wid  de  shorance1  un  a  man  w'at  done  foun'  a  gol' 
mine." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  paused  and  betrayed  a  disposition  to 
drop  off  to  sleep.  The  little  boy,  however,  touched  him 
upon  the  knee,  and  asked  him  what  Brother  Rabbit  did 
when  he  found  his  foot  was  gone.  Uncle  Remus  laughed 
and  rubbed  his  eyea. 

"  Hit's  mighty  kuse  'bout  Brer  Rabbit,  honey.  He  aint 
miss  dat  money-pus  fer  mighty  long  time,  yit  w'en  he  do 
miss  it,  he  miss  it  mighty  bad.  He  miss  it  so  bad  dat  he 
git  right-down  sick,  kaze  he  know  he  bleedz  ter  fine  dat  ar 
foot  let  go  w'at  may,  let  come  w'at  will.  He  study  en  he 
study,  yit  'taint  do  no  good,  en  he  go  all  'roun'  'lowin'  ter 
hisse'f : 

1  Assurance. 


178  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE  EEMUS. 

"I  know  whar  I  put  dat  foot,  yit  I  dunner  whar  I  lef' 
um ;  I  know  whar  I  put  dat  foot,  yit  I  dunner  whar  I  lef ' 
um.' 

"  He  mope  en  he  mope  'roun'.  Look  lak  Brer  Wolf 
got  all  de  luck  en  Brer  Rabbit  aint  got  none.  Brer  Wolf 
git  fat,  Brer  Rabbit  git  lean  ;  Brer  Wolf  run  fas',  Brer 
Rabbit  lope  heavy  lak  ole  Sis  Cow  ;  Brer  Wolf  feel  funny, 
Brer  Rabbit  feel  po'ly.  Hit  keep  on  dis  away,  twel  bime- 
by  Brer  Rabbit  know  sump'n  n'er  bleedz  ter  be  done. 
Las'  he  make  up  he  min'  fer  ter  take  a  journey,  en  he  fix 
up  he  tricks,  he  do,  en  he  go  en  see  ole  Aunt  Marnmy- 
Bammy  Big-Money." 

"  And  who  was  old  Aunt  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money, 
Uncle  Remus?  "  the  little  boy  inquired. 

"  Ah-yi  !  "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  in  a  tone  of  triumph, 
"  I  know'd  w'en  I  fotch  dat  ole  creetur  name  up,  dey  want 
gwine  ter  be  no  noddin'  'roun'  dish  yer  h'ath.  In  dem 
days,"  he^ontinued,  "  dey  wuz  a  Witch-Rabbit,  en  dat  wuz 
her  entitlements  —  ole  Aunt  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money. 
She  live  way  off  in  a  deep,  dark  swamp,  en  ef  you  go  dar 
you  hatter  ride  some,  slide  some  ;  jump  some,  hump  some  ; 
hop  some,  flop  some  ;  walk  some,  balk  some  ;  creep  some, 
sleep  some  ;  fly  some,  cry  some  ;  foller  some,  holler  some  ; 
wade  some,  spade  some ;  en  ef  you  aint  monst'us  keerful 
you  aint  git  dar  den.  Yit  Brer  Rabbit  he  git  dar  atter  so 
long  a  time,  en  he  mighty  nigh  wo'  out. 

"  He  sot  down,  he  did,  fer  ter  res'  hisse'f,  en  bimeby  he 
see  black  smoke  comin'  outer  de  hole  in  de  groun'  whar  de 
ole  Witch-Rabbit  stay.  Smoke  git  blacker  and  blacker, 


BKOTHER  BABBIT  AND   HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT.      179 

en  atter  w'ile  Brer  Rabbit  know  de  time  done  come  fer 
'im  ter  open  up  en  tell  w'at  he  want." 

As  Uncle  Remus  interpreted  the  dialogue,  Brother  Rab- 
bit spoke  in  a  shrill,  frightened  tone,  while  the  voice  of  the 
Rabbit-Witch  was  hoarse  and  oracular : 

" f  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,  I  needs  yo'  he'p.' 

"'Son  Riley  Rabbit,  why  so?  Son  Riley  Rabbit,  why 
so?' 

' '  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,  I  los'  de  foot  you  gim 
me.' 

"<O  Riley  Rabbit,  why  so?  Son  Riley  Rabbit,  why 
so?' 

' '  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,  my  luck  done  gone.  I 
put  dat  foot  down  'pon  de  groun'.  I  lef  um  dar  I  know 
not  whar.' 

'  'De  Wolf  done  tuck  en  stole  yo'  luck,  Son  Riley  Rab- 
bit, Riley.  Go  fine  de  track,  go  git  hit  back,  Son  Riley 
Rabbit,  Riley.' 

"Wid  dat,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "ole  Aunt 
Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  sucked  all  de  black  smoke 
back  in  de  hole  in  de  groun',  and  Brer  Rabbit  des  put  out 
fer  home.  W'en  he  git  dar,  w'at  do  he  do?  Do  he  go 
off  in  a  cornder  by  hisse'f,  en  wipe  he  weepin'  eye  ?  Dat 
he  don't  —  dat  he  don't.  He  des  tuck'n  wait  he  chance. 
He  wait  en  he  wait ;  he  wait  all  day,  he  wait  all  night ; 
he  wait  mighty  nigh  a  mont'.  He  hang  'roun'  Brer  Wolf 
house ;  he  watch  en  he  wait. 

"  Bimeby,  one  day,  Brer  Rabbit  git  de  news  dat  Brer 
Wolf  des  come  back  fum  a  big  frolic.  Brer  Rabbit  know 


180  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

he  time  comin',  en  he  keep  bofe  eye  open  en  bofe  years 
h'ist  up.  Nex'  mawnin'  alter  Brer  Wolf  git  back  fum  de 
big  frolic,  Brer  Kabbit  see  'im  come  outer  de  house  en  go 
down  de  spring  atter  bucket  water.  Brer  Rabbit ,  he  slip 
up,  he  did,  en  he  look  in.  Ole  Miss  Wolf,  she  'uz  sailiii' 
'roun'  fryin'  meat  en  gittin'  brekkus,  en  dar  hangin'  'cross 
er  cheer  wuz  Brer  Wolf  wes'cut  where  he  keep  he  money- 
pus.  Brer  Eabbit  rush  up  ter  do'  en  pant  lak  he  mighty 
nigh  fag  out.  He  rush  up,  he  did,  en  he  sing  out : 

c '  Mawnin',  Sis  Wolf,  mawnin' !  Brer  Fox  sont  me 
atter  de  shavin'-brush,  w'ich  he  keep  it  in  dat  ar  money- 
pus  w'at  I  loant  'im.' 

"  Sis  Wolf,  she  fling  up  'er  han's  en  let  um  drap,  en  she 
laugh  en  say,  sez  she : 

' '  I  'clar'  ter  gracious,  Brer  Rabbit !  You  gimme  sech 
a  tu'n,  dat  I  aint  got  room  ter  be  perlite  skacely.' 

"  But  mos'  'fo'  she  git  de  wuds  out'n  'er  mouf,  Brer 
Rabbit  done  grab  de  money-pus  en  gone  !  " 

"  Which  way  did  he  go,  Uncle  Remus  ?"  the  little  boy 
asked,  after  a  while. 

"  Well,  I  tell  you  dis,"  Uncle  Remus  responded  em- 
phatically, "  Brer  Rabbit  road  aint  lay  by  de  spring ;  I 
boun'  you  dat !  " 

Presently  Tildy  put  her  head  in  the  door  to  say  that  it 
was  bedtime,  and  shortly  afterward  the  child  was  dream- 
ing that  Daddy  Jack  was  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  in 
disguise. 


IN    SOME    LADY'S    GARDEN.'*  181 


XXXI. 

"IN     SOME     LADY'S     GARDEN." 

WHEN  the  little  boy  next  visited  Uncle  Remus  the 
old  man  was  engaged  in  the  somewhat  tedious  operation 
of  making  shoe-pegs.  Daddy  Jack  was  assorting  a 
bundle  of  sassafras  roots,  and  Aunt  Tempy  was  trans- 
forming a  meal-sack  into  shirts  for  some  of  the  little 
negroes,  —  a  piece  of  economy  of  her  own  devising. 
Uncle  Remus  pretended  not  to  see  the  child. 

"Hit's  des  lak  I  tell  you  all,"  he  remarked,  as  if  re- 
newing a  conversation  ;  K?  1  monst'us  glad  dey  aint  no  bad 
chilluns  on  dis  place  fer  ter  be  wadin'  in  de  spring-branch, 
en  flingin'  mud  on  de  yuther  little  chilluns,  w'ich  de  goodness 
knows  dey  er  nasty  'nuff  bidout  dat.  I  monst'us  glad  dey 
aint  none  er  dat  kinder  young  uns  'roun'  yer  —  I  is  dat." 

"Now,  Uncle  Remus,"  exclaimed  the  little  boy,  in  an 
injured  tone,  "  somebody's  been  telling  you  something  on 
me." 

The  old  man  appeared  to  be  very  much  astonished. 

"  Heyo  !  whar  you  bin  hidin',  honey  ?  Yer  'tis  mos' 
way  atter  supper  en  you  aint  in  de  bed  yit.  Well  —  well 
—  well !  Sit  over  ag'in  de  chimbly  jam  dar  whar  you  kin 
dry  dem  shoes.  En  de  ve'y  nex'  time  w'at  I  see  you 
wadin'  in  dat  branch,  wid  de  sickly  season  comin'  on,  I'm 
a  gwine  ter  take  you  'cross  my  shoulder  en  kyar  you  ter 


182  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Miss  Sally,  en  ef  dat  aint  do  no  good,  den  I'll  kyar  you 
ter  Mars  John,  en  ef  dat  aint  do  no  good,  den  I'm  done 
wid  you,  so  dar  now  ! " 

The  little  boy  sat  silent  a  long  time,  listening  to  the 
casual  talk  of  Uncle  Remus  and  his  guests,  and  watching 
the  vapor  rise  from  his  wet  shoes.  Presently  there  was  a 
pause  in  the  talk,  and  the  child  said : 

"  Uncle  Remus,  have  I  been  too  bad  to  hear  a  story?" 

The  old  man  straightened  himself  up  and  pushed  his 
spectacles  back  on  his  forehead. 

"  Now,  den,  folks,  you  year  w'at  he  say.  Shill  we 
pursue  on  atter  de  creeturs  ?  Shill  er  shant  ?  " 

"Bless  yo'  soul,  Brer  Remus,  I  mos'  'shame'  myse'f, 
yit  I  tell  you  de  Lord's  trufe,  I'm  des  ez  bad  atter  dem  ar 
tales  ez  dat  chile  dar." 

"Well,  den,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "a  tale  hit  is.  One 
time  dey  wuz  a  man,  en  dish  yer  man  he  had  a  gyardin. 
He  had  a  gyardin,  en  he  had  a  little  gal  fer  ter  min'  it. 
I  don't  speck  dish  yer  gyardin  wuz  wide  lak  Miss  Sally 
gyardin,  but  hit  'uz  lots  longer.  Hit  'uz  so  long  dat  it 
run  down  side  er  de  big  road,  'cross  by  de  plum  thicket, 
en  back  up  de  lane.  Dish  yer  gyardin  wuz  so  nice  en 
long  dat  it  tuck'n  'track  de  'tention  er  Brer  Rabbit ;  but  de 
fence  wuz  built  so  close  en  so  high,  dat  he  can't  git  in 
nohow  he  kin  fix  it." 

"Oh,  I  know  about  that!"  exclaimed  the  little  boy. 
"  The  man  catches  Brother  Rabbit  and  ties  him,  and  the 
girl  lets  him  loose  to  see  him  dance." 


"IN    SOME    LADY'S    GARDEN."  183 

Uncle  Remus  dropped  his  chin  upon  his  bosom.  He 
seemed  to  be  humbled. 

"  Sis  Tempy,"  he  said,  with  a  sigh,  "  you'll  hatter  come 
in  some  time  w'en  we  aint  so  crowded,  en  I'll  up  en  tell 
'bout  Billy  Malone  en  Miss  Janey." 

"  That  wasn't  the  story  I  heard,  Uncle  Remus,"  said 
the  little  boy.  "  Please  tell  me  about  Billy  Malone  and 
Miss  Janey." 

"  Ah-yi  1 "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  with  a  triumphant 
smile ;  "  I  'low'd  maybe  I  wa'n't  losin'  de  use  er  my 
'membunce,  en  sho  nuffl  aint.  Now,  den,  we'll  des  wuk 
our  way  back  en  start  fa'r  en  squar'.  One  time  dey 
wuz  a  man,  en  dish  yer  man  he  had  a  gyardin  en  a  little 
gal.  De  gyardin  wuz  chock  full  er  truck,  en  in  de 
mawnin's,  w'en  de  man  hatter  go  off,  he  call  up  de  little 
gal,  he  did,  en  tell  'er  dat  she  mus'  be  sho  en  keep  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  outer  de  gyardin.  He  tell  'er  dis  eve'y  mawnin' ; 
but  one  mawnin'  he  tuck  en  forgit  it  twell  he  git  ter  de 
front  gate,  en  den  he  stop  en  holler  back : 

" '  O  Janey !  You  Janey !  Min'  w'at  I  tell  you 
'bout  ole  Brer  Rabbit.  Don't  you  let  'im  get  my  nice 
green  peas.' 

"Little  gal,  she  holler  back  :  'Yes,  daddy.' 

"  All  dis  time,  Brer  Rabbit  he  'uz  settin  out  dar  in  de 
bushes  dozin'.  Yit,  w'en  he  year  he  name  call  out  so  loud, 
ho  cock  up  one  year  en  lissen,  en  he  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he 
bleedz  ter  outdo  Mr.  Mtin.  Bimeby,  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
went  'roun'  en  come  down  de  big  road  des  ez  natchul  ez 


184  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

ef  he  bin  trafflin  some'rs.     He  see  de  little  gal  settin'  by 
de  gate,  en  he  up'n  'low : 

' f  Aint  dish  yer  Miss  Janey  ?' 

"  Little  gal  say  :  '  My  daddy  call  me  Janey.'  Uncle 
Remus  mimicked  the  voice  and  manner  of  a  little  girl. 
He  hung  his  head,  looked  excessively  modest,  and  spoke 
in  a  shrill  tone.  The  effect  was  so  comical  that  even 
Daddy  Jack  seemed  to  enjoy  it. 

r '  My   daddy   call   me   Janey ;    w'at  yo'  daddy   call 
you?' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  look  on  de  groun',  en  sorter  study  lak 
folks  does  w'en  dey  feels  bad.  Den  he  look  up  en  'low  : 

' '  I  bin  lose  my  daddy  dis  many  long  year,  but  w'en  he 
'live  he  call  me  Billy  Malone.'  Den  he  look  at  de  little 
gal  hard  en  'low  :  f  Well,  well,  well !  I  aint  seed  you 
sence  you  'uz  a  little  bit  er  baby,  en  now  yer  you  is 
mighty  nigh  a  grown  'oman.  I  pass  yo'  daddy  in  de 
road  des  now,  en  he  say  I  mus'  come  en  tell  you  fer  ter 
gimme  a  mess  er  sparrer-grass.' 

"Little  gal,  she  fling  de  gate  wide  open,  en  let  Mr. 
Billy  Malone  git  de  sparrer-grass. 

"  Man  come  back  en  see  whar  somebody  done  bin 
tromplin'  on  de  gyarden  truck,  en  den  he  call  up  de  little 
gal,  en  up'n  ax  'er  who  bin  dar  since  he  bin  gone ;  en  de 
little  gal,  she  'low,  she  did,  dat  Mr.  Billy  Malone  bin  dar. 
Man  ax  who  in  de  name  er  goodness  is  Mr.  Billy  Malone. 
Little  gal  'low  hit's  des  a  man  w'at  say  'er  daddy  sont  *im 
fer  ter  git  some  sparrer-grass  on  account  er  ole  acquaint- 
ance. Man  got  his  'spicions,  but  he  aint  say  uothin.' 


"IN    SOME    LADY'S    GARDEN."  185 

"  Nex'  day,  w'en  he  start  off,  he  holler  en  tell  de  little 
gal  fer  ter  keep  one  eye  on  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  en  don't  let  no- 
body git  no  mo'  sparrer-grass.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  settin'  off 
dar  in  de  bushes,  en  he  year  w'at  de  man  say,  en  he  see 
'im  w'en  he  go  off.  Bimeby,  he  sorter  run  'roun',  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  did,  en  he  come  hoppin'  down  de  road,  twell  he 
git  close  up  by  de  little  gal  at  de  gyardin  gate.  Brer 
Rabbit  drapt  'er  his  biggest  bow,  en  ax  'er  how  she  come 
on.  Den,  atter  dat,  he  'low,  he  did  : 

'  I  see  yo'  daddy  gwine  'long  down  de  road  des  now, 
en  he  gimme  a  rakin'  down  kaze  I  make  'way  wid  de 
sparrer-grass,  yit  he  say  dat  bein's  how  I  sech  a  good 
fr'en'  er  de  fambly  I  kin  come  en  ax  you  fer  ter  gimme  a 
mess  er  Inglish  peas.' 

"Little  gal,  she  tuck'n  fling  de  gate  wide  open,  en  ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  march  in,  he  did,  en  he  git  de  peas  in  a 
hurry.     Man  come  back  atter  w'ile,  en  he  low  : 
'  Who  bin  tromplin  down  my  pea- vines  ? ' 

'"  Mr.  Billy  Malone,  daddy.' 

"  Man  slap  he  han'  on  he  forrud  1 ;  he  dunner  w'at  ter 
make  er  all  dis.  Bimeby,  he  low  : 

'  W'at    kinder    lookin'    man    dish    yer    Mr.    Billy 
Malone  ? ' 

r '  Split  lip,  pop  eye,  big  year,  en  bob-tail,  daddy.' 

"  Man  say  he  be  bless  ef  he  aint  gwine  ter  make  de 
acquaintance  er  Mr.  Billy  Malone  ;  en  he  went  ter  wuk,  he 
did,  en  fix  'im  up  a  box-trap,  en  he  put  some  goobers  in 
dar,  en  he  tell  de  little  gal  nex'  time  Mr.  Billy  Malone 

1  Forehead. 


186  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

come  fer  'vite  'im  in.     Nex'  mawnin',  Man  git  little  ways 
fum  de  house  en  tuck'n  holler  back,  he  did  : 

'  Watsumever  you  does,  don't  youdast  ter  let  nobody 
git  no  mo'  sparrer-grass,  en  don't  you  let  urn  git  no  mo' 
Inglish  peas.' 

"  Little  gal  holler  back  :  <  No,  daddy/ 

"Den,  atter  dat,  'twan't  long  'fo'  yer  come  Mr.  Billy 
Malone,  hoppin'  'long  down  de  big  road.  He  drapta  bow, 
he  did,  en  'low  : 

"Mawnin',  Miss  Janey,  mawnin' !  Met  yo'  daddy  down 
de  big  road,  en  he  say  dat  I  can't  git  no  mo'  sparrer-grass 
en  green  peas,  but  you  kin  gimme  some  goobers.' 

"Little  gal,  she  lead  de  way,  en  tell  Mr.  Billy  Malone 
dar  dey  is  in  de  box.  Mr.  Billy  Malone,  he  lick  he  chops, 
he  did,  en  'low  : 

'You  oughter  be  monst'us  glad,  honey,  dat  you  got 
sech  a  good  daddy  lak  dat.' 

"  Wid  dat,  Mr.  Billy  Malone  wunk  he  off  eye,  en  jump 
in  de  box." 

"  Wat  I  done  tell  you  !  "   exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy. 

"  He  jump  in  de  box,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "en 
dar  he  wuz,  en  ef  de  little  gal  hadder  bin  a  minnit  bigger, 
I  lay  she'd  'a'  tuck'n  done  some  mighty  tall  winkin'." 

"  Man  aint  gone  fur,  en  'twa'nt  long  To'  yer  he  come 
back.  Wen  Brer  Rabbit  year  'im  comin'  he  bounce 
'roun'  in  dar  same  ez  a  flea  in  a  piller-case,  but  'taint  do 
no  good.  Trap  done  fall,  en  Brer  Rabbit  in  dar.  Man 
look  thoo'  de  slats,  en  'low  : 

* f  Dar  you  is  —  same   old   hoppum-skippum   run    en 


"IN    SOME    LADY'S    GARDEN."  187 

jumpum.  Youer  de  ve'y  chap  I'm  atter.  I  want  yo'  foot 
fer  ter  kyar  in  my  pocket,  I  want  yo'  meat  fer  ter  put 
in  de  pot,  en  I  want  yo'  hide  fer  ter  w'ar  on  my  head.' 

"  Dis  make  cold  chill  rush  up  en  down  Brer  Kabbit 
backbone,  en  he  git  more  'umble  dan  a  town  nigger  w'at 
been  kotch  out  atter  nine  erclock.1  He  holler  en  cry,  en 
cry  en  holler : 

' '  Do  pray,  Mr.  Man,  tu'n  me  go  !  I  done  'ceive  you 
dis  time,  but  I  aint  gwine  ter  'ceive  you  no  mo'.  Do 
pray,  Mr.  Man,  tu'n  me  go,  des  dis  little  bit  er  time.' 

"  Man  he  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  He  look  lak  he  studyin' 
'bout  somep'n  n'er  way  off  yan',  en  den  he  take  de  little 
gal  by  de  ban'  en  go  off  todes  de  house." 

"  Sholy  Brer  Rabbit  time  done  come  now  !  "  exclaimed 
Aunt  Tempy,  in  a  tone  of  mingled  awe  and  expectation. 

Uncle  Remus  paid  no  attention  to  the  interruption,  but 
went  right  on : 

"  Hit  seem  lak  dat  Brer  Rabbit  got  mo'  luck  dan  w'at 
you  kin  shake  a  stick  at,  kase  de  man  en  de  little  gal  aint 
good  en  gone  skacely  twell  yer  come  Brer  Fox  a  pirootin' 
'roun'.  Brer  Fox  year  Brer  Rabbit  hollin'  en  he  up'n  ax 
w'at  de  'casion  er  sech  gwines  on  right  dar  in  de  broad 
open  daylight.  Brer  Rabbit  squall  out : 

" '  Lordy,  Brer  Fox !  you  better  make  'as'e  'way  fum 
yer,  kaze  Mr.  Man  ull  ketch  you  en  slap  you  in  dish  ycr 
box  en  make  you  eat  mutton  twell  you  ull  des  nat'ally 
bus'  right  wide  open.  Run,  Brer  Fox,  run  !  He  bin 

1  During  slavery,  the  ringing  of  the  nine-o'clock  bell  in  the  towns  and  vil- 
lages at  night  was  the  signal  for  all  negroes  to  retire  Jx>  their  quarters. 


188  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE   EEMUS. 

feedin'  ine  on  mutton  the  whole  blessid  mawnin'  en  now  he 
done  gone  atter  mo'.  Run,  Brer  Fox,  run  ! ' 

"  Yit,  Brer  Fox  aint  run.  He  up'n  ax  Brer  Rabbit  how 
de  mutton  tas'e. 

'"  He  tas'e  mighty  good  'long  at  fus',  but  miff's  a  nuff, 
en  too  much  is  a  plenty.  Run,  Brer  Fox,  run  !  He  ull 
ketch  you,  sho  ! ' 

"  Yit,  Brer  Fox  aint  run.  He  up'n  'low  dat  he  b'leeve 
he  want  some  mutton  hisse'f,  en  wid  dat  he  onloose  de 
trap  en  let  Brer  Rabbit  out,  en  den  he  tuck'n  git  in  dar. 
Brer  Rabbit  aint  wait  fer  ter  see  w'at  de  upshot  gwine  ter 
be,  needer  —  I  boun'  you  he  aint.  He  des  tuck'n  gallop 
off  in  de  woods,  en  he  laff  en  laff  twell  he  hatter  hug  a 
tree  fer  ter  keep  fum  drappin'  on  de  groun'." 

"Well,  but  what  became  of  Brother  Fox?"  the  little 
boy  asked,  after  waiting  some  time  for  Uncle  Remus  to 
proceed. 

"Now,  den,  honey,"  said  the  old  man,  falling  back 
upon  his  dignity,  "  hit  een  about  takes  all  my  spar'  time 
fer  ter  keep  up  wid  you  en  Brer  Rabbit,  let  'lone  keepin' 
up  wid  Brer  Fox.  Ole  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  tuck  keer  his- 
se'f, en  now  let  Brer  Fox  take  keer  hisse'f." 

"  I  say  de  word  !  "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy. 


BROTHER    'POSSUM    GETS    IN    TROUBLE.          189 


XXXII. 

BROTHER  'POSSUM  GETS  IN  TROUBLE. 

WHEN  Uncle  Remus  began  his  story  of  Billy  Malone 
and  Miss  Janey,  Daddy  Jack  sat  perfectly  quiet.  His 
eyes  were  shut,  and  he  seemed  to  be  dozing ;  but,  as  the 
story  proceeded,  he  grew  more  and  more  restless.  Sev- 
eral times  he  was  upon  the  point  of  interrupting  Uncle 
Remus,  but  he  restrained  himself.  He  raised  his  hands  to 
a  level  with  his  chin,  and  beat  the  ends  of  his  fingers 
gently  together,  apparently  keeping  time  to  his  own 
thoughts.  But  his  impatience  exhausted  itself,  and  when 
Uncle  Remus  had  concluded,  the  old  African  was  as  quiet  as 
ever.  When  Brother  Fox  was  left  so  unceremoniously  to 
his  fate,  Daddy  Jack  straightened  himself  temporarily  and 
said : 

"Me  yent  bin  a  yerry  da  tale  so.  'E  nice,  fer  true,  'e 
mek  larf  come  ;  oona  no  bin-a  yerry  um  lak  me." 

"No,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  grave  affability,  "I 
speck  not.  One  man,  one  tale ;  Ver  man,  Ver  tale. 
Folks  tell  um  diffunt.  I  boun'  yo*  'way  de  bes',  Brer 
Jack.  Out  wid  it  —  en  we  ull  set  up  yer,  en  hark  at 
you  en  Jaff  wid  you  plum  twell  de  chick'ns  crow." 

Daddy  Jack  needed  no  other  invitation.  He  clasped  his 
knee  in  his  hands  and  began  : 

"  Dey  is  bin  lif  one  Man  wut  plan'  some  pea  in  'e  geer- 


190  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

den.  'E  plan'  some  pea,  but  'e  mek  no  pea  :  B'er  Rabbit, 
'e  is  fine  urn.  'E  fine  um  un  'e  eat  um.  Man  mek  no 
pea,  B'er  Rabbit  'e  'stroy  um  so.  'E  plan'  dem  pea ; 
dey  do  grow,  un  'e  go  off.  'E  come  bahk ;  pea  no  dere. 
B'er  Rabbit  teer  um  up  un  mek  'e  cud  wit'  dem.  So  long 
tarn,  Man  say  'e  gwan  ketch  um,  un  'e  no  ketch  um. 
Man  go,  B'er  Rabbit  come ;  Man  come,  B'er  Rabbit  go. 
Bumbye,  Man,  'e  is  git  so  mad,  'e  y-eye  bin-a  come  red ; 
'e  crack  'e  toof,  'e  do  cuss.  'E  oby  'e  gwan  ketch  B'er 
Rabbit  nohow.  Dun  'e  is  bin-a  call  'e  lilly  gal.  'E  talk, 
'e  tell  'im  fer  let  B'er  Rabbit  go  troo  da  geerden  gett.  Lil 
gal  say  yasser.  'E  talk,  'e  tell  'im  wun  B'er  Rabbit  go 
throo  da  gett,  dun  'e  mus'  shed  da  gett,  un  no  le'm  come 
pas'  no  mo.'  Lil  gal  say  yasser. 

"  Ole  Man  is  bin-a  gone  'bout  'e  wuk ;  lil  gal,  'e  do 
lissun.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  come  tippy-toe,  tippy-toe ;  gone 
in  da  geerden ;  eat  dem  pea  tell  'e  full  up ;  eat  tell  he 
mos'  git  seeck  wit'  dem  pea.  Dun  'e  start  fer  go  out ;  'e 
fine  da  gett  shed.  'Ee  shek  um,  'e  no  open  ;  'e  push  um, 
'e  no  open  ;  'e  fair  grunt,  'e  push  so  hard  'e  no  open.  'E 
bin-a  call  da  lil  gal ;  'e  say  : 

' '  Lil  gal,  lil  gal !  cum  y-open  da  gett.     'Tis  hu't  me 
feelin'  fer  fine  da  gett  shed  lak  dis.' 

"  Lil  gal  no  talk  nuttin'.     B'er  Rabbit  say  : 

'  'Tis-a  bin  hu't  me  feelin',  lil  gal !     Come  y-open  da 
gett,  lil  gal,  less  I  teer  um  loose  from  da  hinch.' 

"  Lil  gal  v'ice  come  bahk.     'E  talk : 

"  '  Daddy  say  inus'nV 

"  B'er  Rabbit  open  'e  mout'.     'E  say  : 


BROTHER  TO S SUM  GETS  IN  TROUBLE.    191 

r '  See  me  long  sha'p  toof  ?     'E  bite  you  troo  un  troo  ! ' 

"Lil  gal  ekeer;  'e  tu'n  loose  de  gett  un  fly.  B'er 
Rabbit  gone, !  Ole  Man  come  bahk ;  'e  ahx  'bout  B'er 
Rabbit.  Lil  gal  say  : 

*  'E  done  gone,  daddy.  I  shed  da  gett,  I  hoi'  umfas'. 
B'er  Rabbit  bin  show  'e  toof ;  'e  gwan  fer  bite-a  me  troo 
un  troo.  I  git  skeer',  daddy.'  Man  ahx  : 

*  'How  'e  gwin  fer  bite  you  troo  un  troo,  wun  'e  toof  fix 
bite  grass?  B'er  Rabbit  tell  one  big  tale.  'E  no  kin 
bite-a  you.  Wun  'e  come  'g'm»  7OU  8ned  dem  »ett>  7OU 
hol'um  tight,  you  no  le'm  go  pas'  no  mo'.'  Lil  gal  say 
yasser. 

"Nex'  day  mawnin',  Man  go  'long  'bout  'e  wuk.  Lil 
gal,  'e  play  'roun',  un  'e  play  'roun'.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is 
come  tippy- tippy .  'E  fine  gett  open  ;  'e  slip  in  da  geerden . 
'E  chew  dem  pea,  'e  gnyaw  dem  pea ;  'e  eat  tell  dem  pea 
tas'e  bad.  Dun  'e  try  fer  go  out ;  gett  shed  fas'.  'E  no 
kin  git  troo.  'E  push,  gett  no  open  ;  'e  keek  wit'  um  fut, 
gett  no  open  ;  'e  butt  wit'  um  head,  gett  no  open.  Dun  'e 
holler : 

' f  Lil  gal,  lil  gal !  come  y-open  da  gett.  'E  berry  bad 
fer  fool  wit'  ole  man  lak  me.  I  no  kin  hoi'  me  feelin' 
down  wun  you  is  do  lak  dis.  'E  berry  bad.' 

"  Lil  gal  hoi'  'e  head  down ;  'e  no  say  nuttin'.  B'er 
Rabbit  say : 

' '  Be  shame,  lil  gal,  fer  do  ole  man  lak  dis.  Me  feelin' 
git  wusser.  Come  y-open  de  gett  'fo'  I  is  teer  um  down.' 

"  Lil  gal  say :  '  Daddy  say  mus'iiV 


192  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE   REMUS. 

"  B'er  Rabbit  open  'e  y-eye  wide ;  'e  is  look  berry  mad. 
'E  say : 

:  *  See  me  big  y-eye  ?  I  pop  dis  y-eye  stret  at  you,  me 
kill-a  you  dead.  Come  y-open  da  gett  To'  me  y-eye  pop. 

"  Lil  gal  skeer  fer  true.  'E  loose  de  gett,  'e  fair  fly. 
B'er  Rabbit  done  gone  1  Lil  gal  daddy  bank.  'E  ahx 
wey  is  B'er  Rabbit.  Lil  gal  say  : 

'  'E  done  gone,  daddy.  I  hoi'  gett  fas' ;  'e  is  bin-a 
'come  berry  mad.  'E  say  he  gwan  pop  'e  y-eye  at  me, 
shoot-a  me  dead/  Man  say : 

' '  B'er  Rabbit  tell-a  too  big  tale.  How  'e  gwan  shoot-a 
you  wit'  'e  y-eye  ?  'E  y-eye  sem  lak  turrer  folk  y-eye. 
Wun  'e  come  some  mo',  you  shed  dem  gett,  you  hoi'  um 
fas'.'  Lil  gal  say  yasser. 

"  Nex'  day  mawnin,  Man  go,  B'er  Rabbit  come.  'E  is 
ma'ch  in  da  gett  un  eat-a  dem  pea  tell  'e  kin  eat-a  no  mo'. 
?E  sta't  out ;  gett  shed.  'E  no  kin  come  pas'.  'E  shek, 
'e  push,  'e  pull ;  gett  shed.  Dun  'e  holler  : 

"Lil  gal,  lil  gal !  come  y-open  da  gett.  'Tis  berry  bad 
fer  treat  you  kin  lak  dis.  Come  y-open  da  gett,  lil  gal. 
'Tis  full  me  up  wit'  sorry  wun  you  do  lak  dis.' 

"  Lil  gal,  'e  no  say  nuttin'.     B'er  Rabbit  say  : 

'  'E  berry  bad  fer  treat  you'  kin  lak  dis.  Tu'n  go  da 
gett,  lil  gal.'  Lil  gal  say  : 

"  '  How  you  is  kin  wit'  me,  B'er  Rabbit  ? ' 

r '  You'  gran'daddy  foller  at'  me  nuncle  wit'  'e  dog.  Da 
mek  we  is  kin.  Come  y-open  da  gett,  lil  gal.' " 

"  Dat  ole  Rabbit  wuz  a-talkin',  mon ! "  exclaimed 
Aunt  Tempy,  enthusiastically. 


BROTHER    'POSSUM    GETS    IN    TROUBLE.          193 

"  Lil  gal  no  say  nuttin'  'tall !  "  Daddy  Jack  went  on , 
with  renewed  animation.  "Dun  B'er  Rabbit  say  : 

' '  See  me  long,  sha'p  toof,  lil  gal  ?  Me  bite-a  you  troo 
un  troo/  Lil  gal  say  : 

" '  Me  no  skeer  da  toof.  'E  bite  nuttin'  'tall  'cep'  'e  bite 
grass.'  B'er  Rabbit  say  : 

f  '  See  me  big  y-eye  ?  I  pop  urn  at  you,  shoot-a  you 
dead.'  Lil  gal  say  : 

' '  Me  no  skeer  da  y-eye.  'E  sem  lak  turrer  folk  y-eye.' 
B'er  Rabbit  say : 

"Lil  gal,  you  mek  me  'come  mad.  I  no  lak  fer  hu't-a 
me  kin.  Look  at  me  ho'n  !  I  run  you  troo  un  troo.' 

"  B'er  Rabbit  lif  'e  two  year  up  ;  'e  p'int  um  stret  at  da 
lil  gal.  Lil  gal  'come  skeer  da  ho'n ;  'e  do  tu'n  go  da 
gett ;  'e  fly  fum  dey-dey." 

"  Well,  ef  dat  don't  beat !  "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy, 
laughing  as  heartily  as  the  little  boy.  "  Look  at  um  one 
way,  en  Rabbit  year  does  look  lak  sho  'nuff  ho'ns." 

"  Lil  gal  tu'n  go  da  gett,"  Daddy  Jack  continued ; 
"  B'er  Rabbit  gone  I  Man  come  bahk  ;  'e  ahx  wey  is  B'er 
Rabbit.  Lil  gal  cry ;  'e  say  'e  skeer  Brer  Rabbit  ho'n. 
Man  say  'e  is  hab  no  ho'n.  Lil  gal  is  stan'  um  down  'e 
see  ho'n.  Man  say  da  ho'n  is  nuttin'  'tall  but  B'er  Rabbit 
year  wut  'e  yeddy  wit'.  'E  tell  lil  gal  nex'  tarn  B'er  Rab- 
bit come,  'e  mus'  shed  da  gett ;  'e  mus'  run  fum  dey-dey 
un  leaf  um  shed.  Lil  gal  say  yasser. 

"  Man  gone,  B'er  Rabbit  come.  'E  is  go  in  da  gett ;  'e 
eat-a  dem  pea  tell  'e  tire'.  'E  try  fer  go  pas'  da  gett ;  gett 
shed.  'E  call  lil  gal;  lil  gal  gone!  'E  call,  call,  call; 


194  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  KEMUS. 

lil  gal  no  yeddy.  'E  try  fer  fine  crack  in  da  palin' :  no 
crack  dey.  'E  try  fer  jump  over  :  de  palin'  too  high.  'E 
'come  skeer ;  'e  is  'come  so  skeer,  'e  squot  'pun  da  groun' ; 
'e  shek,  'e  shiver. 

"  Man  come  bahk.  'E  ahx  wey  B'er  Rabbit.  Lil  gal 
say  'e  in  da  geerden.  Man  hug  lil  gal,  'e  is  lub  um  so. 
'E  go  in  da  geerden ;  'e  fine  B'er  Rabbit.  'E  ketch  um 
—  'e  ca'  um  off  fer  kill  um ;  'e  mad  fer  true.  Lil  gal 
come  holler : 

' r  Daddy,  daddy  !  missus  say  run  dere  !  'E  wan'  you 
come  stret  dere  !  ' 

"  Man  tie  B'er  Rabbit  in  da  bag ;  'e  hang  um  on  tree- 
lira'.  'E  say  : 

' '  I  gwan  come  bahk.  1 1'arn  you  fer  mek  cud  wit'  rne 
green  pea.' 

"  Man  gone  fer  see  'e  missus.  Bumbye,  B'er  'Possum 
is  bin-a  come  pas'.  'E  look  up,  'e  ketch  glimp'  da  bag 
'pun  da  lira'.  'E  say  : 

r  *  Ki !  Wut  dis  is  bin-a  hang  in  da  bag  'pun  da  tree- 
lim'?'  B'er  Rabbit  say  : 

"Hush,  B'er  'Possum!  'Tis-a  me.  I  bin-a  lissen  at 
dem  sing  in  da  cloud.' 

"  B'er  'Possum  lissen.     'E  say  : 

' '  I  no  yed  dem  sing,  B'er  Rabbit.' 

' '  Hush,  B'er  'Possum  !  How  is  I  kin  yeddy  dem  sing 
wun  you  is  mek-a  da  fuss  dey-dey  ? ' 

"  B'er 'Possum,  'e  hoi'  'e  mout'  still,  'cep'  'e  do  grin. 
B'er  Rabbit  say : 


BROTHER    'ROSSUM    GETS    IN    TROUBLE.          195 

f '  I  yed  dem  now  !  I  yed  dem  now  !  B'er  'Possum,  I 
wish  you  is  yeddy  dem  sing  ! ' 

"  B'er  'Possum  say  'e  mout'  water  fer  yeddy  dem  sing  in 
da  cloud.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  say  'e  is  bin-a  hab  so  long  tarn 
'quaintun  wit'  B'er  'Possum,  ye  le'm  yeddy  dem  sing.  'E 
say  : 

'  *  I  git  fum  da  bag,  I  tun-a  you  in  tell  you  is  yeddy 
dem  sing.  Dun  you  is  git  fum  da  bag,  tell  I  do  come 
bahk  un  'joy  mese'f.' 

"  B'er  'Possum,  'e  do  clam  up  da  tree  ;  'e  git  dem  bag, 
'e  bring  um  down.  'E  tak  off  da  string ;  'e  tu'n  B'er 
Rabbit  go.  'E  crawl  in  un  'e  quile  up.  'E  say : 

"  I  no  yeddy  dem  sing,  B'er  Rabbit ! ' 

( f  Hi !  wait  tell  da  bag  it  tie,  B'er  'Possum.  You  yed 
dem  soon  'nuff ! '  'E  wait. 

"  '  I  no  yeddy  dem  sing,  B'er  Rabbit ! ' 

"'Hi!  wait  tell  I  clam  da  tree,  B'er  'Possum.  You 
yed  dem  soon  'nuff! '  'E  wait. 

" <I  no  yeddy  dem  sing,  B'er  Rabbit ! ' 

" '  Wait  till  I  fix  um  'pun  da  lim',  B'er  'Possum.  You 
yed  dem  soon  'nuff ! '  'E  wait. 

' ?  B'er  Rabbit  clam  down  ;  'e  run  'way  fum  dey-dey ; 
'e  hide  in  da  bush  side.  Man  come  bahk.  'E  see  da  bag 
moof.  B'er  'Possum  say  : 

f  *  I  no  yeddy  dem  sing.     I  wait  fer  yed  um  sing  !  " 

"Man  tink  'e  B'er  Rabbit  in  da  bag.     'E  say  : 

* '  Ah-yi-ee  !     I  mekky  you  yed  dem  sing  ! ' 

"  Man  tek-a  da  bag  fum  da  tree-lim' ;  'e  do  slam  da  bag 
'gin  da  face  da  ye't'.  'E  tek-a  'e  walkin'-cane,  un  'e  beat 


196  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

B'er  Possum  wut  is  do  um  no  ha'm  tell  'e  mos'  kill  um. 
Man  tink  B'er  Rabbit  mus'  bin  dead  by  dis.  'E  look  in 
da  bag ;  'e  'tretch  'e  y-eye  big ;  'e  'stonish.  B'er  Rabbit, 
'e  do  come  fum  da  bush  side ;  'e  do  holler,  'e  do  laff.  'E 
say : 

•'  You  no  is  ketch-a  me  !     I  t'ief  you'  green  pea,  —  I 
t'ief  um  some  mo',  —  I  t'ief  um  tel  I  dead  !' 

"  Man,  'e  'come  so  mad,  'e  is  fling  hatchet  at  B'er  Rab- 
bit un  chop  off  'e  tail." 

At  this  moment  Daddy  Jack  subsided.  His  head 
drooped  forward,  and  he  was  soon  in  the  land  of  Nod. 
Uncle  Remus  sat  gazing  into  the  fireplace,  as  though  lost 
in  reflection.  Presently,  he  laughed  softly  to  himself,  and 
said : 

"  Dat's  des  'bout  de  long  en  de  short  un  it.  Mr.  Man 
clip  off  Brer  Rabbit  tail  wid  de  hatchet,  en  it  bleed  so 
free  dat  Brer  Rabbit  rush  off  ter  de  cotton-patch  en  put 
some  lint  on  it,  en  down  ter  dis  day  dat  lint  mos'  de  fus 
thing  you  see  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  jump  out'n  he  bed  en  tell 
you  good-bye." 

"But,  Uncle  Remus,  what  became  of  Brother 
'Possum?" 

Uncle  Remus  smacked  his  lips  and  looked  wise. 

"  Don't  talk  'bout  Brer  'Possum,  honey,  ef  dat  ar  Mr. 
Man  wuz  nice  folks  lak  we  all  is,  en  I  aint  'spute  it,  he 
tuck'n  tuck  Brer  'Possum  en  bobbycue  'im,  en  I  wish  I 
had  a  great  big  piece  right  now.  Dat  I  does." 


WHY    THE    GUINEA    FOWLS    ARE    SPECKLED.     197 

XXXIII. 
WHY  THE   GUINEA-FOWLS  ARE  SPECKLED. 

ONE  night,  while  the  little  boy  was  watching  Uncle 
Jlemus  broil  a  piece  of  bacon  on  the  coals,  he  heard  a 
great  commotion  among  the  guinea-fowls.  The  squawk- 
ing and  pot-racking  went  on  at  such  a  rate  that  the  geese 
awoke  and  began  to  scream,  and  finally  the  dogs  added 
their  various  voices  to  the  uproar.  Uncle  Remus  leaned 
back  in  his  chair  and  listened. 

"I  speck  may  be  dat's  de  patter-rollers  gwine  by,"  he 
said,  after  a  while.  "  But  you  can't  put  no  'pen'unce  in 
dem  ar  Guinny-hins,  kaze  dey'll  wake  up  en  holler  ef  dey 
year  deyse'f  sno'.  Dey'll  fool  you,  sho." 

"They  are  mighty  funny,  anyhow,"  said  the  little  boy. 

"Dat's  it!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Eemus.  "Dey  looks 
quare,  en  dey  does  quare.  Dey  aint  do  lak  no  yuther 
kinder  chick'n,  en  dey  aint  look  lak  no  yuther  kinder 
chick'n.  Yit  folks  tell  me,"  the  old  man  went  on,  reflect- 
ively; "dat  dey  er  heap  mo'  kuse  lookin'  now  dan  w'at 
dey  use'  ter  be.  I  year  tell  dat  dey  wuz  one  time  w'en 
dey  wuz  all  blue,  'stid  er  havin'  all  dem  ar  teenchy  little 
spots  on  um." 

"Well,  how  did  they  get  to  be  speckled,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 
asked  the  little  boy,  seeing  that  the  old  man  was  disposed 
to  leave  the  subject  and  devote  his  attention  to  his  broiling 
bacon. 


198  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE   REMUS. 

Uncle  Remus  did  not  respond  at  once.  He  turned  his 
meat  over  carefully,  watched  it  a  little  while,  and  then 
adroitly  transferred  it  to  the  cover  of  a  tin  bucket,  which 
was  made  to  answer  the  purpose  of  a  plate.  Then  he 
searched  about  in  the  embers  until  he  found  his  ash-cake, 
and  in  a  little  while  his  supper  was  ready  to  be  eaten. 

"I  aint  begrudgin'  nobody  nothin',"  said  Uncle  Remus,, 
measuring  the  victuals  with  his  eye ;  "yit  I'm  monst'us 
glad  Brer  Jack  aint  nowhar's  'roun',  kaze  dey  aint  no 
tellin'  de  gawm  dat  ole  nigger  kin  eat.  He  look  shaky,  en 
he  look  dry  up,  en  he  aint  got  no  toof,  yit  w'ence  he  set 
hisse'f  down  whar  dey  any  vittles,  he  des  nat'ally  laps  hit 
up.  En  let  'lone  dat,  he  ull  wipe  he  mouf  en  look  'roun' 
des  lak  he  want  mo'.  Time  Miss  Sally  see  dat  ole  nigger 
eat  one  meal  er  vittles,  I  boun'  you  he  hatter  go  back 
down  de  country.  I  aint  begrudgin'  Brer  Jack  de  vittles," 
Uncle  Remus  went  on,  adopting  a  more  conciliatory  tone, 
"dat  I  aint,  kaze  folks  is  got  ter  eat;  but,  gentermens  ! 
you  be  'stonish'  w'en  you  see  Brer  Jack  'pesterin'  'long  er 
he  dinner." 

The  little  boy  sat  quiet  awhile,  and  then  reminded 
Uncle  Remus  of  the  guinea-fowls. 

"Tooby  sho,  honey,  tooby  sho  !  Wat  I  doin'  runnin' 
on  dis  a-way  'bout  ole  Brer  Jack  ?  Wat  he  done  ter  me  ? 
Yer  I  is  gwine  on  'bout  Brer  Jack,  en  dem  ar  Guinny-hins 
out  dar  waitin'.  "Well,  den,  one  day  Sis  Cow  wuz 
a-grazin'  'bout  in  de  ole  fieP  en  lookin'  atter  her  calf. 
De  wedder  wuz  kinder  hot,  en  de  calf,  he  tuck'n  stan', 
he  did,  in  he  mammy  shadder,  so  he  kin  keep  cool,  en  so 


WHY    THE    GUINEA    FOWLS    ARE    SPECKLED.     199 

dat  one  flip  un  he  mammy  tail  kin  keep  the  flies  ofFn 
bofe  'un  um.  Atter  w'ile,  'long  come  a  drove  er  Guinnies. 
De  Guinnies,  dey  howdied,  en  Sis  Cow,  she  howdied,  en 
de  Guinnies,  dey  sorter  picked  'roun'  en  sun  deyse'f ;  en 
Sis  Cow,  she  crap  the  grass  en  ax  um  de  news  er  de 
neighborhoods.  Dey  went  on  dis  a- way  twell  'twant 
'long  'fo'\dey  year  mighty  kuse  noise  out  dar  t'er  side  er 
de  old  fiel'.  De  Guinnies,  dey  make  great  'miration,  des 
lak  dey  does  deze  days,  en  old  Sis  Cow  fling  up  'er  head 
en  look  all  'roun'.  She  aint  see  nothin'. 

"  Atter  w'ile  dey  year  de  kuse  fuss  'gin,  en  dey  look 
'roun',  en  bless  gracious  !  stan'in'  right  dar,  'twix'  dem  en 
sundown,  wuz  a  great  big  Lion  I  " 

"  A  Lion,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  asked  the  little  boy,  in  amaze- 
ment. 

"  Des  ez  sho  ez  you  er  settin'  dar,  honey,  —  a  great 
big  Lion.  You  better  b'leeve  dey  wuz  a  monst'us  flutter- 
ment  'mungs  de  Guinnies,  en  ole  Sis  Cow,  she  looked 
mighty  skeer'd.  De  Lion  love  cow  meat  mos'  better  dan 
he  do  any  yuther  kinder  meat,  en  he  shake  he  head  en  'low 
ter  hisse'f  dat  he'll  des  about  ketch  ole  Sis  Cow  en  eat  'er 
up,  and  take  en  kyar  de  calf  ter  he  fambly. 

"  Den  he  tuck'n  shuck  he  head,  de  Lion  did,  en  make 
straight  at  Sis  Cow.  De  Guinnies  dey  run  dis  a- way,  en 
dey  run  t'er  way,  en  dey  run  all  'roun'  en  'roun' ;  but  ole 
Sis  Cow,  she  des  know  she  got  ter  stan'  'er  groun',  en 
w'en  she  see  de  Lion  makin'  todes  'er,  she  des  tuck'n 
drapt'er  head  down  en  pawed  de  dirt.  De  Lion,  he  crope 
up,  he  did,  en  crope  'roun',*watchm'  fer  good  chance  fer 


200  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

ter  make  a  jump.  He  crope  'roun',  he  did,  but  no  dif- 
funce  which  a- way  he  creep,  dar  wuz  ole  Sis  Cow  hawns 
p'intin'  right  straight  at  'im.  Ole  Sis  Cow,  she  paw  de 
dirt,  she  did,  en  show  de  white  er  her  eyes,  en  beller  way 
down  in  'er  stomach. 

"Dey  went  on  dis  a- way,  dey  did,  twell  bimeby  de 
Guinnies,  dey  see  dat  Sis  Cow  aint  so  mighty  skeerd,  en 
den  dey  'gun  ter  take  heart.  Fus'  news  you  know,  one 
un  urn  sorter  drap  he  wings  en  fuzzle  up  de  fedders,  en 
run  out  'twix'  Sis  Cow  en  de  Lion.  Wen  he  get  dar,  he 
sorter  dip  down,  he  did,  en  fling  up  dirt  des  lak  you  see 
urn  do  in  de  ash-pile.  Den  he  tuck'n  run  back,  he  did, 
en  time  he  git  back,  rn'er  one  run  out  en  raise  de  dus' 
'twix'  Sis  Cow  en  de  Lion.  Den  'n'er  one,  he  run  out  en 
dip  down  en  shoo  up  de  dus' ;  den  Ver  one  run  out 
en  dip  down,  en  'n'er  one,  en  yit  'n'er  one,  twell,  bless 
gracious  !  time  dey  all  run  out  en  dip  down  en  raise  de 
dus',  de  Lion  wuz  dat  blin'  twell  he  aint  kin  see  he  han' 
befo'  'im.  Dis  make  'im  so  mad  dat  he  make  a  splunge 
at  Sis  Cow,  en  de  ole  lady,  she  kotch  him  on  her  hawns 
en  got  'im'down,  en  des  nat'ally  to'  intruls  out." 

"Did  she  kill  the  Lion,  Uncle  Remus  ?"  asked  the  little 
boy,  incredulously. 

"  Dat  she  did  —  dat  she  did  !  Yit  'taint  make  'er  proud, 
kaze  atter  de  Lion  done  good  en  dead,  she  tuck  en  call  up 
de  Guinnies,  she  did,  en  she  'low,  dey  bin  so  quick  fer  ter 
he'p  'er  out,  dat  she  wanter  pay  um  back.  De  Guinnies, 
dey  say,  sezee : 

" '  Don't  bodder  'long  er  we  all,  Sis  Cow,'  sezee.     *  You 


WHY    THE    GUINEA    FOWLS    ARE    SPECKLED.     201 

had  yo'  fun  en  we  all  had  ourn,  en  'ceppin  dat  ar  blood  en 
ha'r  on  yo'  hawn,'  sezee,  '  dey  aint  none  un  us  any  de 
wuss  off,'  sezee. 

"But  ole  Sis  Cow,  she  stan'  um  down,  she  did,  dat  she 
got  ter  pay  um  back,  en  den  atter  w'ile  she  ax  um  w'at 
dey  lak  bes'. 

"  One  un  um  up  en  make  answer  dat  w'at  dey  lak  bes', 
Sis  Cow,  she  can't  gi'  um.  Sis  Cow,  she  up  en  'low  dat 
she  dunno  'bout  dat,  en  she  ax  um  w'at  is  it. 

"Den  de  Guinnies,  dey  tuck'n  huddle  up,  dey  did,  en 
hoi'  er  confab  wid  on  er  n'er,  en  w'iles  dey  er  doin'  dis, 
ole  Sis  Cow,  she  tuck'n  fetch  a  long  breff,  en  den  she  call 
up  'er  cud,  en  stood  dar  chawin'  on  it  des  lak  she  aint  had 
no  tribalation  dat  day. 

"  Bimeby  one  er  de  Guinnies  step  out  fum  de  huddle- 
ment  en  make  a  bow  en  'low  dat  dey  all  'ud  be  mighty 
proud  ef  Sis  Cow  kin  fix  it  some  way  so  dey  can't  be  seed 
so  furthoo  de  woods,  kase  dey  look  blue  in  de  sun,  en 
dey  look  blue  in  de  shade,  en  dey  can't  hide  deyse'f  nohow. 
Sis  Cow,  she  chaw  on  'er  cud,  en  shet  'er  eyes,  en  study. 
She  chaw  en  chaw,  en  study  en  study.  Bimeby  she  'low  : 

:f '  Go  fetch  me  a  pail ! '     Guinny-hin  laff ! 

' '  Law,  Sis  Cow  !  w'at  de  name  er  goodness  you  gwine 
do  wid  a  pail  ?  ' 

"'  Go  fetch  me  a  pail!' 

"  Guinny-hin,  she  run'd  off,  she  did,  en  atter  w'ile  yer 
she  come  trottin'  back  wid  a  pail.  She  sot  dat  pail 
down,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  in  the  tone  of  an  eye- 
witness to  the  occurrence,  "en  Sis  Cow,  she  tuck  'er  stan' 


202  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

over  it,  en  she  let  down  'er  milk  in  dar  twell  she  mighty 
nigh  fill  de  pail  full.  Den  she  tuck'n  make  demGruinny- 
hins  git  in  a  row,  en  she  dip  'er  tail  in  dat  ar  pail,  en  she 
switch  it  at  de  fust  un  en  sprinkle  'er  all  over  wid  de  milk  ; 
en  eve'y  time  she  switch  'er  tail  at  urn  she  'low : 
'  *  I  loves  dis  un  ! '  Den  she  'ud  sing  : 

"  *  Oh,  Blue,  go  'way  !  you  skill  not  stay ! ' 
Oh,  Guinny,  be  Gray,  be  Gray  ! 

"  She  tuck'n  sprinkle  de  las'  one  un  um,  en  deGuinnies, 
dey  sot  in  de  sun  twell  dey  git  dry,  en  fum  dat  time  out 
dey  got  dem  little  speckles  un  um." 


XXXIV. 

BROTHER   RABBITS    LOVE-CHARM. 

"  DEY  wuz  one  time,"  said  Uncle  Remus  one  night,  as 
they  all  sat  around  the  wide  hearth,  — Daddy  Jack,  Aunt 
Tempy,  and  the  little  boy  in  their  accustomed  places,  — 
"  dey  wuz  one  time  w'en  de  t'er  creeturs  push  Brer  Rabbit 
so  close  dat  he  tuck  up  a  kinder  idee  that  may  be  he  wa'nt 
ez  smart  ez  he  mout  be,  en  he  study  'bout  dis  plum  twell 
he  git  humble  ez  de  nex'  man.  'Las'  he  'low  ter  hisse'f 
dat  he  better  make  inquirements  —  " 

"  Ki  I  "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  raising  both  hands  and 
grinning  excitedly,  "  wut  tale  dis  ?  I  bin  yerry  da  tale  wun 
I  is  bin  wean't  fum  me  mammy." 

"  Well,  den,  Brer  Jack,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  in- 


BROTHER    RABBIT'S    LOVE-CHARM.  203 

stinctive  deference  to  the  rules  of  hospitality,  "  I  speck 
you  des  better  whirl  in  yer  en  spin  'er  out.  Ef  you  git 
'er  mix  up  any whars  I  ull  des  slip  in  front  er  you  en  ketch 
holt  whar  you  lefoff." 

With  that,  Daddy  Jack  proceeded  : 

"  One  tarn,  B'er  Rabbit  is  bin  lub  one  noung  leddy." 

"  Miss  Meadows,  I  speck,"  suggested  Uncle  Remus,  as 
the  old  African  paused  to  rub  his  chin. 

"  'E  no  lub  Miss  Meadow  nuttin'  'tall !  "  exclaimed 
Daddy  Jack,  emphatically.  "'E  bin  lub  turrer  noung 
leddy  fum  dat.  'E  is  bin  lub  werry  nice  young  leddy. 
'E  lub  'um  hard,  'e  lub  'um  long,  un  'e  is  gwan  try  fer 
mek  dem  noung  leddy  marry  wit'  'im.  Noung  leddy 
seem  lak  'e  no  look  'pon  B'er  Rabbit,  un  dis  is  bin-a  mek 
B'er  Rabbit  feel  werry  bad  all  da  day  long.  'E  moof 
'way  off  by  'ese'f ;  'e  lose  'e  fat,  un  'e  heer  is  bin-a  come 
out.  Bumbye,  'e  see  one  ole  Affiky  mans  wut  is  bin-a 
hunt  in  da  fieP  fer  root  un  yerrub  fer  mek  'e  met'cine 
truck.  'E  see  um,  un  he  go  toze  um.  Affiky  mans 
open  'e  y-eye  big  ;  'e  'stonish'.  'E  say  : 

"  *  Ki,  B'er  Rabbit !  you'  he'lt'  is  bin-a  gone ;  'e  bin-a 
gone  un  lef  you.  Wut  mekky  you  is  look  so  puny  lak 
dis  ?  Who  is  bin  hu't-a  you'  feelin'  ?  ' 

"  B'er  Rabbit  larf  wit'  dry  grins.     'E  say  ; 
:  *  Shoo  !     I  bin  got  well.     Ef  you  is  see  me  wun  I  sick 
'fer  true,  'twill  mekky  you  heer  stan'  up,  I  skeer  you  so,' 

"  Affiky  mans,  'e  mek  B'er  Babbit  stick  out  'e  tongue ; 
'e  is  count  B'er  Rabbit  pulse,  'E  shekky  'e  head ;  'e  do 
say: 


204  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

" '  Hi,  B'er  Eabbit !  Wut  all  dis  ?  You  is  bin  ketch- 
a  da  gal-fever,  un  'e  strak  in  'pon  you'  gizzud.' 

"  Den  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is  tell-a  da  Affiky  mans  'bout  dem 
noung  leddy  wut  no  look  toze  'im,  un  da  Affiky  mans,  'e 
do  say  'e  bin  know  gal  sem  lak  dat,  'e  is  bin  shum  befo'. 
'E  say  'e  kin  fix  all  dem  noung  leddy  lak  dat.  B'er 
Rabbit,  'e  is  feel  so  good,  'e  jump  up  high;  'e  is  bin 
crack  'e  heel ;  'e  shekky  da  Affiky  mans  by  de  han'. 

"Affiky  mans,  'e  say  B'er  Rabbit  no  kin  git  da  gal  'cep' 
'e  is  mek  'im  one  cha'm-bag.  'E  say  'e  mus'  git  one 
el'phan'  tush,  un  'e  mus'  git  one  'gater  toof,  un  'e  mus' 
git  one  rice-bud  bill.  B'er  Rabbit  werry  glad  'bout  dis, 
un  'e  hop  way  fum  dey-dey. 

"'E  hop,  'e  run,  'e  jump  all  nex'  day  night,  un  bumbye 
'e  see  one  great  big  el'phan'  come  breakin'  'e  way  troo  da 
woots.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  say  : 

' '  Ki !  Oona  big  fer  true !  I  bin-a  yeddy  talk  'bout 
dis  in  me  y-own  countree.  Oona  big  fer  true ;  too  big 
fer  be  strong.' 

"  El'phan'  say  :  '  See  dis  ! ' 

"  'E  tek  pine  tree  in  'e  snout ;  'e  pull  um  by  da  roots  ; 
'e  toss  um  way  off.  B'er  Rabbit  say  : 

' ?  Hi !  dem  tree  come  'cause  you  bin  high ;  'e  no  come 
'cause  you  bin  strong.' 

"El'phan' say:  '  See  dis  ! ' 

"E  rush  troo  da  woots;  'e  fair  teer  um  down.  B'er 
Rabbit  say : 

' '  Hoo  !  dem  is  bin-a  saplin  wey  you  'stroy.  See  da 
big  pine  ?  Oona  no  kin  'stroy  dem.' 


BROTHER    RABBIT'S    LOVE-CHARM.  205 

"  El'phan'  say  :  <  See  dis  ! ' 

"  'E  run  'pon  da  big  pine ;  da  big  pine  is  bin  too 
tough.  El'phan'  tush  stick  in  deer  fer  true  ;  da  big  pine 
hoi'  um  fas'.  B'er  Rabbit  git-a-  dem  tush ;  'e  fetch  um 
wey  da  Affiky  mans  lif.  Affiky  mans  say  el'phan'  is  bin 
too  big  fer  be  sma't.  'E  say  'e  mus'  haf  one  'gater  toof 
fer  go  wit'  el'phan'  tush. 

"  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  do  crack  'e  heel ;  'e  do  fair  fly  fum 
dey-dey.  'E  go  'long,  'e  go  'long.  Bumbye  'e  come  'pon 
'gater.  Da  sun  shiun  hot ;  da  'gater  do  'joy'  'ese'f.  B'er 
Rabbit  say : 

'  '  Dis  road,  'e  werry  bad ;  less  we  mek  good  one  by 
da  crick-side.' 

"  Gater  lak  dat.  'E  wek  'ese'f  up  fum  'e  head  to  'e 
tail.  Dey  sta't  fer  clean  da  road.  'Gater,  'e  do  teer  da 
bush  wit'  'e  toof;  'e  sweep-a  da  trash  way  wit'  e'  tail, 
B'er  Rabbit,  'e  do  beat-a  da  bush  down  wit'  'e  cane.  'E 
hit  lef ,  'e  hit  right ;  'e  hit  up,  'e  hit  down  ;  'e  hit  all 
'roun'.  'E  hit  un  'e  hit,  tell  bumbye  'e  hit  'gater  in  'e 
mout'  un  knock- a  da  toof  out.  'E  grab  um  up  ;  'e  gone 
fum  dey-dey.  'E  fetch-a  da  'gater  toof  wey  da  Affiky 
mans  lif.  Affiky  mans  say  : 

'  'Gater  is  bin-a  got  sha'p  toof  fer  true.     Go  fetch-a 
me  one  rice-bud  bill.' 

"  B'er  Rabbit  gone  !  'E  go  'long,  'e  go  'long,  tell  'e 
see  rice-bud  swingin'  on  bush.  'E  ahx  um  kin  'e  fly. 

"  Rice-bud  say  :  '  See  dis  ! ' 

"  'E  wissle,  'e  sing,  'e  shek  'e  wing ;  'e  fly  all  'roun'  un 


206  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  B'er  Rabbit  say  rice-bud  kin  fly  wey  da  win5  is  bin 
blow,  but  'e  no  kin  fly  wey  no  win  blow. 

"Rice-bud  say,  'Enty!' 

"  'E  wait  fer  win'  stop  bio  win' ;  'e  wait,  un  'e  fly  all 
'roun'  un  'roun'. 

"  B'er  Rabbit  say  rice-bud  yent  kin  fly  in  house  wey 
dey  no  win'. 

"  Rice-bud  say,  '  Enty  ! ' 

"  'E  fly  in  house,  'e  fly  all  'roun'  un  'roun'.  B'er  Rab- 
bit pull  de  do'  shed ;  'e  look  at  dem  rice-bud ;  'e  say, 
'  Enty  ! J 

"  'E  ketch  dem  rice-bud ;  'e  do  git  um  bill,  'e  fetch  urn 
wey  da  Affiky  mans  lif.  Affiky  mans  says  dem  rice-bud 
bill  slick  fer  true.  'E  tekky  da  el'phan'  tush,  'e  tekky  da 
'gater  toof,  'e  tekky  da  rice-bud  bill,  he  pit  um  in  lil  bag ; 
'e  swing  dem  bag  'pon  B'er  Rabbit  neck.  Den  B'er 
Rabbit  kin  marry  dem  noung  gal.  Enty  !  " 

Here  Daddy  Jack  paused  and  flung  a  glance  of  feeble 
tenderness  upon  'Tildy.  Uncle  Remus  smiled  contempt- 
uously, seeing  which  'Tildy  straightened  herself,  tossed 
her  head,  and  closed  her  eyes  with  an  air  of  indescriba- 
ble scorn. 

"Idunnerwhat  Brer  Rabbit  mout  er  done,"  she  ex- 
claimed ;  "  but  I  lay  ef  dey's  any  ole  nigger  man  totin'  a 
cunjer-bag  in  dis  neighborhood,  he'll  git  mighty  tired  un 
it  'fo'  it  do  'im  any  good  —  I  lay  dat ! " 

Daddy  Jack  chuckled  heartily  at  this,  and  dropped  off 
to  sleep  so  suddenly  that  the  little  boy  thought  he  was 
playing  possum. 


BROTHER    RABBIT    SUBMITS    TO    A    TEST.        207 


XXXV. 

BROTHER  RABBIT  SUBMITS   TO   A    TEST. 

"UNCLE  REMUS,"  said  the  child,  "do  you  reckon 
Brother  Rabbit  really  married  the  young  lady?" 

"  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey,"  responded  the  old  man,  with 
a  sigh,  "hit  b'long  ter  Brer  Jack  fer  ter  tell  you  dat. 
'Taint  none  er  my  tale." 

"  Wasn't  that  the  tale  you  started  to  tell? " 

"Who?  Me?  Shoo  I  I  aint  'sputin'  but  w'at  Brer 
Jack  tale  des  ez  purty  ez  dey  er  any  needs  fer,  yit  'taint 
none  er  my  tale." 

At  this,  the  little  boy  laid  his  head  upon  Uncle  Remus's 
knee  and  waited. 

"Now,  den,"  said  the  old  man,  with  an  air  of  consider- 
able importance,  "we  er  got  ter  go  'way  back  behine  dish 
yer  yallergater  doin's  w'at  Brer  Jack  bin  mixin'  us  up 
wid.  'Ef  I  makes  no  mistakes  wid  my  'membrence,  de 
place  wharbouts  I  lef  off  wuz  whar  Brer  Rabbit  had  so 
many  'p'intments  fer  ter  keep  out  de  way  er  de  t'er  cree- 
turs  dat  he  'gun  ter  feel  monst'us  humblyfied.  Let  um 
be  who  dey  will,  you  git  folks  in  a  close  place  ef  you 
wanter  see  um  shed  der  proudness.  Dey  beg  mo'  earner 
dan  a  nigger  w'en  de  patter-rollers  ketch  'im.  Brer 
Rabbit  aint  ko  no  beggin',  kaze  dey  aint  kotch ;  yit  dey 
come  so  nigh  it,  he  'gun  ter  feel  he  weakness. 


208  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    EEMUS. 

"  Wen  Brer  Rabbit  feel  dis  a-way,  do  he  set  down  flat 
er  de  groun'  en  let  de  t'er  creeturs  rush  up  en  grab  'im  ? 
He  mought  do  it  deze  days,  kaze  times  done  change ;  but 
in  dem  days  he  des  tuck'n  sot  up  wid  hisse'f  en  study 
'bout  w'at  he  gwine  do.  He  study  en  study,  en  las'  he 
up  'n  tell  he  ole  'oman,  he  did,  dat  he  gwine  on  a  journey. 
Wid  dat,  ole  Miss  Rabbit,  she  tuck  'en  fry  'im  up  a  rasher 
er  bacon,  en  bake  'im  a  pone  er  bread.  Brer  Rabbit  tied 
dis  up  in  a  bag  en  tuck  down  he  walkin'  cane  en  put 
out." 

"  Where  was  he  going,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"Lemme  'lone,  honey!  Lemme  sorter  git  hit  up,  like. 
De  trail  mighty  cole  'long  yer,  sho ;  kaze  dish  yer  tale 
aint  come  'cross  my  min*  not  sence  yo'  gran'pa  fotch  us 
all  out  er  Ferginny,  en  dat's  a  monst'us  long  time  ago. 

"  He  put  out,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  fer  ter  see  old  Mammy- 
Bammy  Big-Money." 

"  Dat  uz  dat  ole  witch-rabbit,"  remarked  Aunt  Tempy, 
complacently. 

"Yasser,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "de  ve'y  same  ole 
creetur  w'at  I  done  tell  you  'bout  we'n  Brer  Rabbit  los' 
he  foot.  He  put  out,  he  did,  en  atter  so  long  a  time  he 
git  dar.  He  take  time  fer  ter  ketch  he  win',  en  den 
he  sorter  shake  hisse'f  up  en  rustle  'roun'  in  de  grass. 
Bimeby  he  holler : 

" '  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  !  O  Mammy-Bammy 
Big-Money !  I  journeyed  fur,  I  journeyed  fas' ;  I  glad  I 
foun'  de  place  at  las'.' 


BROTHER    RABBIT    SUBMITS    TO    A    TEST.        209 

"  Great  big  black  smoke  rise  up  out  er  de  groun',  en 
ole  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  'low : 

"'Wharfo',  Son  Riley  Rabbit,  Riley?  Son  Riley 
Rabbit,  wharfo'?' 

"Wid  dat,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  dropping  the 
sing-song  tone  by  means  of  which  he  managed  to  impart 
a  curious  dignity  and  stateliness  to  the  dialogue  between 
Brother  Rabbit  and  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money, — 
"  wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  up'n  tell  'er,  he  did,  'bout  how  he 
fear'd  he  losin'  the  use  er  he  min',  kaze  he  done  come  ter 
dat  pass  dat  he  aint  kin  fool  de  yuther  creeturs  no  mo',  en 
dey  push  'im  so  closte  twell  'twont  be  long  'fo'  dey  '11 
git  'im.  De  ole  Witch-Rabbit  she  sot  dar,  she  did,  en 
suck  in  black  smoke  en  puff  it  out  'gin,  twell  you  can't 
see  nothing  'tall  but  'er  great  big  eyeballs  en  'er  great 
big  years.  Atter  w'ile  she  'low  : 

' '  Dar  sets  a  squer'l  in  dat  tree,  Son  Riley ;  go  fetch 
dat  squer'l  straight  ter  me,  Son  Riley  Rabbit,  Riley.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  sorter  study,  en  den  he  'low,  he  did : 

"I  aint  got  much  sense  lef,  yit  ef  I  can't  coax  dat 
chap  down  from  dar,  den  hit's  kaze  I  done  got  some 
zeeze  w'ich  it  make  me  fibble  in  de  min','  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  empty  de  provender 
out'n  he  bag  en  got  'im  two  rocks,  en  put  de  bag  over  he 
head  en  sot  down  und'  de  tree  whar  he  squir'l  is.  He 
wait  little  w'ile,  en  den  he  hit  de  rocks  tergedder  —  blip! 

"  Squer'l  he  holler,  'Hey!' 

"Brer  Rabbit  wait  little,  en  den  he  tuck'n  slap  de  rocks 
tergedder  —  blap  ! 


210  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

"Squer'l  he  run  down  de  tree  little  bit  en  holler, 
Heyo  ! ' 

"Brer  Rabbit  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  He  des  pop  de 
rocks  togedder  —  blop  1 

"  Squer'l,  he  come  down  little  fiirder,  he  did,  en  holler, 
'Whodat?' 

"  '  Biggidy  Dicky  Big-Bag  ! ' 

"  <  What  you  doin'  in  dar  ?  ' 

"'Crackin'hick'ynuts.' 

'  *  Kin  I  crack  some  ? ' 

: '  Tooby  sho,  Miss  Bunny  Bushtail ;  come  git  in  de 
bag.' 

"Miss  Bunny  Bushtail  hang  back,"  continued  Uncle 
Remus,  chuckling;  "but  de  long  en  de  short  un  it  wuz 
dat  she  got  in  de  bag,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck'n  kyar'd 
'er  ter  ole  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money.  De  ole  Witch- 
Rabbit,  she  tuck  V  tu'n  de  squer'l  a-loose,  en  low : 

t?  Dar  lies  a  snake  in  'mungs'  de  grass,  Son  Riley ;  go 
fetch  'im  yer,  en  be  right  fas',  Son  Riley  Rabbit,  Riley.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  look  'roun',  en  sho  'nuff  dar  lay  de 
bigges'  kinder  rattlesnake,  all  quile  up  ready  fer  business. 
Brer  Rabbit  scratch  he  year  wid  he  behine  leg,  en  study. 
Look  lak  he  gwine  git  in  trouble.  Yit  atter  wi'le  he  go 
off  in  de  bushes,  he  did,  en  cut  'im  a  young  grape-vine, 
en  he  fix  'im  a  slip-knot.  Den  he  come  back.  Snake 
'periently  look  lak  he  sleep.  Brer  Rabbit  ax  'im  how  he 
come  on.  Snake  aint  say  nothin',  but  he  quile  up  a 
little  tighter,  en  he  tongue  run  out  lak  it  bin  had  grease 
on  it.  Mouf  shot,  yit  de  tongue  slick  out  en  slick  back 


BROTHER   RABBIT    SUBMITS    TO    A    TEST.        211 

To'  a  sheep  kin  shake  he  tail.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low,  he 
did  : 

"  '  Law,  Mr.  Snake,  I  mighty  glad  I  come  'cross  you,' 
sezee.  Me  en  ole  Jedge  Ba'r  bin  havin'  a  tumble  'spute 
'bout  how  long  you  is.  We  bofe  'gree  dat  you  look 
mighty  purty  w'en  youer  layin'  stretch  out  full  lenk  in  de 
sun ;  but  Jedge  B'ar,  he  'low  you  aint  but  th'ee  foot 
long,  en  I  stood  'im  down  dat  you  'uz  four  foot  long  ef  not 
mo','  sezee.  ?En  de  talk  got  so  hot  dat  I  come  mighty 
nigh  hittin'  'im  a  clip  wid  my  walkin'-cane,  en  ef  I  had  I 
boun'  dey'd  er  bin  some  bellerin'  done  roun'  dar,'  sezee. 

"  Snake  aint  say  nothin',  but  he  look  mo'  complassy1 
dan  w'at  he  bin  lookin'. 

'  *  I  up  V  tole  old  Jedge  B'ar,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee, 
f  dat  de  nex'  time  I  run  'cross  you  I  gwine  take'n  medjer 
you ;  en  goodness  knows  I  mighty  glad  I  struck  up  wid 
you,  kaze  now  dey  wont  be  no  mo'  'casion  fer  any  'sputin' 
'twix'  me  and  Jedge  B'ar,'  sezee. 

"Den  Brer  Rabbit  ax  Mr.  Snake  ef  he  wont  be  so  good 
ez  ter  onquile  hisse'f.  Snake  he  feel  mighty  proud,  he 
did,  en  he  stretch  out  fer  all  he  wuff.  Brer  Rabbit  he 
medjer,  he  did,  en  'low  : 

f '  Dar  one  foot  fer  Jedge  B'ar ;  dar  th'ee  foot  fer 
Jedge  B'ar ;  en,  bless  goodness,  dar  four  foot  fer  Jedge 
B'ar,  des  lak  I  say  I ' 

"  By  dat  time  Brer  Rabbit  done  got  ter  snake  head,  en 
des  ez  de  las'  wud  drop  out'n  he  mouf,  he  slip  de  loop 

JA  mixture  of   "complacent"  and    "placid."     Accent  on   the  second 
syllable 


212  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

'roun'  snake  neck,  en  den  he  had  'im  good  en  fas'.  He 
tuck'n  drag  'im,  he  did,  up  ter  whar  de  ole  witch-rabbit 
settin'  at ;  but  w'en  he  git  dar,  Mammy-Bammy  Big- 
Money  done  make  'er  disappearance,  but  he  year  sump'n 
way  off  yander,  en  seem  lak  it  say  : 

"  Ef  you  git  any  mo'  sense,  Son  Riley,  you'll  be  de 
ruination  ev  de  whole  settlement,  Son  Riley  Rabbit, 
Riley.' 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit  drag  de  snake  'long  home,  en  stew 
'im  down  en  rub  wid  de  grease  fer  ter  make  'im  mo' 
soopler  in  de  lim's.  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey,  Brer  Rabbit 
mought  'er  bin  kinder  fibble  in  de  legs,  but  he  wa'n't  no 
ways  cripple  und'  de  hat." l 

1 A  version  of  this  story  makes  Brother  Babbit  capture  a  swarm  of  bees. 
Mr.  W.  O.  Tuggle,  of  Georgia,  who  has  made  an  exhaustive  study  of  the 
Creek  Indians,  has  discovered  a  variant  of  the  legend.  The  Rabbit  (Chufee) 
becomes  alarmed  because  he  has  nothing  but  the  nimbleness  of  his  feet  to  take 
him  out  of  harm's  way.  He  goes  to  his  Creator  and  begs  that  greater  intelli- 
gence be  bestowed  upon  him.  Thereupon  the  snake  test  is  applied,  as  in  the 
negro  stoiy,  and  the  Ilabbit  also  catches  a  swarm  of  gnats.  He  is  then  told 
that  he  has  as  much  intelligence  as  there  is  any  need  for,  and  he  goes  away 
satisfied. 


BROTHER  WOLF  FALLS   A  VICTIM.  213 


XXXVI. 

BROTHER    WOLF  FALLS  A    VICTIM. 

"  UNCLE  REMUS,"  said  the  little  boy,  one  night,  when 
he  found  the  old  man  sitting  alone  in  his  cabin,  "  did  you 
ever  see  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  ?  " 

Uncle  Remus  placed  his  elbows  on  his  knees,  rested  his 
chin  in  the  palms  of  his  hands,  and  gazed  steadily  in  the 
fire.  Presently  he  said  : 

"  Wen  folks  'gin  ter  git  ole  en  no-'count,  hit  look  lak 
der  'membunce  git  slack.  Some  time  hit  seem  lak  I  done 
seed  sump'n  n'er  mighty  nigh  de  make  en  color  er  ole 
Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,  en  den  ag'in  seem  lak  I 
aint.  Wen  dat  de  case,  w'at  does  I  do?  Does  I  stan' 
tiptoe  en  tetch  de  rafters  en  make  lak  I  done  seed  dat  ole 
Witch-Rabbit,  w'en,  goodness  knows,  I  aint  seed  er? 
Dat  I  don't.  No,  bless  you  !  I'd  say  de  same  in  comp'ny, 
much  less  settin'  in  yer  'long  side  er  you.  De  long  en  de 
short  un  it,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  with  emphasis,  "  is 
des  dis.  Ef  I  bin  run  'crost  ole  Mammy-Bammy  Big- 
Money  in  my  day  en  time,  den  she  tuck'n  make  'er  disap- 
pearance dat  quick,  twel  I  aint  kotch  a  glimp'  un  'er." 

The  result  of  this  good-humored  explanation  was  that 
the  child  didn't  know  whether  Uncle  Remus  had  seen  the 
Witch-Rabbit  or  not,  but  his  sympathies  led  him  to  suspect 


214  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

that  the  old  man  was  thoroughly  familiar  with  all  her 
movements. 

"Uncle  Eemus,"  the  little  boy  said,  after  a  while,  "if 
there  is  another  story  about  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money, 
I  wish  you  would  tell  it  to  me  all  by  my  own-alone  self." 

The  idea  seemed  to  please  the  old  man  wonderfully, 
and  he  chuckled  over  it  for  several  minutes. 

"  Now,  den,  honey,"  he  said,  after  a  while,  w  you  hit  me 
whar  I'm  weak  —  you  mos'  sho'ly  does.  Comp'ny  mighty 
good  fer  some  folks  en  I  kin*  put  up  wid  it  long  ez  de 
nex'  un,  but  you  kin  des  take'n  pile  comp'ny  'pun  top  er 
comp'ny,  en  dey  won't  kyore  de  liver  complaint.  Wen 
you  talk  dat  away  you  fetches  me,  sho',  en  I'll  tell  you  a 
tale  'bout  de  Ole  Witch-Rabbit  ef  I  hatter  git  down  yer 
on  my  all-fours  en  grabble  it  out'n  de  ashes.  Yit  dey  aint 
no  needs  'er  dat,  kaze  de  tale  done  come  in  my  min'  des 
ez  fresh  ez  ef  'twas  day  'fo'  yistiddy. 

"  Hit  seem  lak  dat  one  time  atter  Brer  Wolf  tuck'n  steal 
Brer  Rabbit  foot,  dey  wuz  a  mighty  long  fallin'-out  'twix' 
um.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  got  ashy  kaze  Brer  Wolf 
tuck'n  tuck  he  foot ;  en  Brer  Wolf,  he  tuck'n  got  hot  kaze 
Brer  Rabbit  wuk  en  wuk  'roun'  en  git  he  foot  ag'in. 
Hit  keep  on  dis  away  twel  bimeby  de  ole  Witch-Rabbit 
sorter  git  tired  er  Brer  Wolf,  en  one  day  she  tuck'n  sont 
wud  ter  Brer  Rabbit  dat  she  lak  mighty  well  fer  ter  see 
'im. 

"Dey  fix  up  der  plans,  dey  did,  en  'twa'n't  so  mighty 
long  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit  run  inter  Brer  Wolf  house  in  a 
mighty  big  hurry,  en  he  'low,  he  did : 


BROTHER  WOLF  FALLS  A  VICTIM.  215 

"'Brer  Wolf!  O  Brer  Wolf!  I  des  now  come  fum 
de  river,  en  des  ez  sho'  ez  youer  settin'  in  dat  cheer,  ole 
Big-Money  lay  in'  dar  stone  dead.  Less l  we  go  eat  'er  up.' 

"  '  Brer  Kabbit,  shoPy  youer  jokin' ! ' 

"  '  Brer  Wolf,  I'm  a  ginin' 2  un  you  de  fatal  fack.  Come 
on,  less  go  ! ' 

'  'Brer  Rabbit,  is  you  sho'  she  dead?' 

f '  Brer  Wolf,  she  done  dead  ;  come  on,  less  go  ! ' 

"  En  go  dey  did.  Dey  went  roun'  en  dey  got  all  de 
yuther  creeturs,  en  Brer  Wolf,  livin'  so  nigh,  he  let  all  he 
chilluns  go,  en  'twa'n't  so  mighty  long  'fo'  dey  had  a  crowd 
dar  des  lak  camp-meetin'  times. 

"  W'en  dey  git  dar,  sho'  nuff,  dar  lay  ole  Big-Money  all 
stretch  out  on  de  river  bank.  Dis  make  Brer  Wolf  feel 
mighty  good,  en  he  tuck'n  stick  he  ban's  in  he  pocket  en 
strut  'roun  dar  en  look  monst'us  biggity.  Atter  he  done 
tuck'n  'zamine  ole  Big-Money  much  ez  he  wanter,  he 
up'n  low,  he  did,  dat  dey  better  sorter  rustle  'roun'  en 
make  a  fa'r  dividjun.  He  ax  Brer  Mink,  he  ax  Brer 
Coon,  he  ax  Brer  'Possum,  he  ax  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  ax 
Brer  Rabbit,  w'ich  part  dey  take,  en  dey  all  up'n  'low,  dey 
did,  dat  bein'  ez  Brer  Wolf  de  biggest  en  de  heartiest  in 
de  neighborhoods  er  de  appetite,  dey  speck  he  better  take 
de  fus  choosement. 

"Wid  dat  Brer  Wolf,  he  sot  down  on  a  log,  en 
hang  he  head  ter  one  side,  sorter  lak  he  'shame'  er 
hisse'f.  Bimeby,  he  up'n  'low : 


1  Let  us;  let's;  less. 

2  G  hard. 


216  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

"Now,  den,  folks  en  fr'en's,  sence  you  shove  it  on 
me,  de  shortest  way  is  de  bes'  way.  Brer  Coon,  we 
bin  good  fr'en's  a  mighty  long  time;  how  much  er 
dish  yer  meat  ought  a  fibble1  ole  man  lak  me  ter 
take?'  sezee. 

"Brer  Wolf  talk  mighty  lovin'.  Brer  Coon  snuff 
de  a'r,  en  'low : 

"I  speck  ^ou  better  take  one  er  de  fo'-quarters, 
Brer  Wolf,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Wolf  look  lak  he  'stonish'.  He  lif'  up  he 
han's,  en  'low : 

"Law,  Brer  Coon,  I  tuck  you  ter  be  my  fr'en',  dat 
I  did.  Man  w'at  talk  lak  dat  aint  got  no  feelin'  fer  me. 
Hit  make  me  feel  mighty  lonesome,'  sezee. 

"Den  Brer  Wolf  tu'n  'roun'  en  talk  mighty  lovin' 
ter  Brer  Mink : 

' '  Brer  Mink,  many's  de  day  you  bin  a-knowin'  me ; 
how  much  er  dish  yer  meat  you  speck  oughter  fall  ter 
my  sheer?'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Mink  sorter  study,  en  den  he  'low : 

' '  Bern'  ez  you  er  sech  a  nice  man,  Brer  Wolf,  I 
speck  you  oughter  take  one  er  de  fo'-quarters,  en  a 
right  smart  hunk  off'n  de  bulge  er  de  neck,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Wolf  holler   out,   he   did  : 

'  *  Go  'way,  Brer  Mink !  Go  'way !  You  aint  no 
'quaintance  er  mine  ! ' 

"Den  ole  Brer  Wolf  tu'n  'roun'  ter  Brer'  Possum 
en  talk  lovin' : 

i  Feeble. 


BROTHER  WOLF  FALLS   A  VICTIM.  217 

"  Brer  'Possum,  I  done  bin  tuck  wid  a  likin'  fer  you 
long  time  To'  dis.  Look  at  me,  en  den  look  at  my 
fambly,  en  den  tell  me,  ef  you  be  so  good,  how  much 
er  dish  yer  meat  gwine  ter  fall  ter  my  sheer.' 

"Brer  'Possum,  he  look  'roun',  de  did,  en  grin,  en 
he  up'n  'low : 

"'Take  half,  Brer  Wolf,  take  half!' 

"Den  ole  Brer  Wolf  holler  out: 

' '  Shoo,  Brer  'Possum  !     I  like  you  no  mo'.' 

"Den  Brer  Wolf  tu'n  to  Brer  Tarrypin',  en  Brer 
Tarrypin  say  Brer  Wolf  oughter  take  all  'cep'  one 
er  de  behime  quarters,  en  den  Brer  Wolf  'low  dat 
Brer  Tarrypin  aint  no  fr'en'  ter  him.  Den  he  up'n  ax 
Brer  Rabbit,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  'spon,  he 
did: 

"'  Gentermuns  all !  you  see  Brer  Wolf  chillun?  Well 
dey  er  all  monst'us  hongry,  en  Brer  Wolf  hongry 
hisse'f.  Now  I  puts  dis  plan  straight  at  you :  less  we 
all  let  Brer  Wolf  have  de  fus'  pass  at  Big-Money; 
less  tie  'im  on  dar,  en  le'm  eat  much  ez  he  wanter,  en 
den  we  kin  pick  de  bones,'  sezee. 

'  Youer  my  pardner,  Brer  Rabbit  I  '  sez  Brer  Wolf, 
sezee  ;  '  youer  my  honey-pardner  ! ' 

"  Dey  all  'gree  ter  dis  plan,  mo'  'speshually  ole  Brer 
Wolf,  so  den  dey  tuck'n  tie  'im  onter  Big-Money.  Dey 
tie  'im  on  dar,  dey  did,  en  den  ole  Brer  Wolf  look  all 
'roun'  en  wunk  at  de  yuthers.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n 
wunk  back,  en  den  Brer  Wolf  retch  down  en  bite  Big- 
Money  on  de  back  er  de  neck.  Co'se,  w'en  he  do  dis, 


218  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

Big-Money  bleedz  ter  flinch ;  let  'lone  dat,  she   bleedz 
ter  jump.     Brer  Wolf  holler  out : 

"'Ow!  Run  yer  somebody!  Take  me  off!  She 
aint  dead.  O  Lordy  !  I  feel  'er  move  ! ' 

Brer  Rabbit  holler  back : 

' f  Nummine  de  flinchin',  Brer  Wolf.  She  done  dead  ; 
I  done  year  er  sesso l  'erse'f.  She  dead,  sho'.  Bite 
er  ag'in,  Brer  Wolf,  bite  'er  ag'in  ! ' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  talk  so  stiff,  hit  sorter  tuck  de  chill  off'n 
Brer  Wolf,  en  he  dipt  down  en  bit  ole  Big-Money  ag'in. 
Wid  dat,  she  'gun  ter  move  off,  en  Brer  Wolf  he  holler 
des  lak  de  woods  done  kotch  a-fier : 

' '  Ow  !  O  Lordy  !  Ontie  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  ontie  me  ! 
She  aint  dead  !  Ow  !  Run  yer,  Brer  Rabbit,  en  ontie  me  ! ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  holler  back  : 

«  She  er  sho'ly  dead,  Brer  Wolf !  Nail  er,  Brer  Wolf ! 
Bite  'er  !  gnyaw  'er  ! ' 

"Brer  Wolf  keep  on  bitin',  en  Big-Money  keep  on 
movin'  off.  Bimeby ,  she  git  ter  de  bank  er  de  river,  en 
she  fall  in  —  cumberjoom!  —  en  dat  'uz  de  las'  er  Brer 
Wolf." 

"  What  did  Brother  Rabbit  do  ?  "  the  little  boy  asked, 
after  a  while. 

"Well,"  responded  Uncle  Remus,  in  the  tone  of  one 
anxious  to  dispose  of  a  disagreeable  matter  as  pleasantly 
as  possible,  "you  know  w'at  kinder  man  Brer  Rabbit  is. 
He  des  went  off  some'rs  by  he  own-alone  se'f  en  tuck  a 
big  laugh." 

1  Say  so. 


BROTHER  RABBIT   AND   THE   MOSQUITOES.       219 
XXXVII. 

BROTHER  RABBIT  AND    THE  MOSQUITOES. 

THE  next  night  Daddy  Jack  was  still  away  when  the 
little  boy  went  to  see  Uncle  Remus,  and  the  child  asked 
about  him. 

"  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey  !  don't  ax  me  'bout  Brer  Jack. 
He  look  lak  he  mighty  old  en  trimbly,  but  he  mighty 
peart  nigger,  mon.  He  look  lak  he  shufflin'  'long,  but 
dat  ole  nigger  gits  over  groun',  sho'.  Forty  year  ergo, 
maybe  I  mought  er  kep'  up  wid  'im,  but  I  let  you  know 
Brer  Jack  is  a  way  'head  er  me.  He  mos'  sho'ly  is." 

"  Why,  he's  older  than  you  are,  Uncle  Remus  ! "  the 
child  exclaimed. 

"Dat  w'at  I  year  tell.  Seem  lak  hit  mighty  kuse,  but 
sho'  ez  youer  bawn  Brer  Jack  is  a  heap  mo'  pearter  nig- 
ger dan  w'at  ole  Remus  is.  He  little,  yit  he  mighty  hard. 
Dat's  Brer  Jack,  up  en  down." 

Uncle  Remus  paused  and  reflected  a  moment.  Then 
he  went  on : 

"  Talkin'  'bout  Brer  Jack  put  me  in  min'  'bout  a  tale 
w'ich  she  sho'ly  mus'  er  happen  down  dar  in  dat  ar  coun- 
try whar  Brer  Jack  come  fum,  en  it  sorter  ketch  me  in  de 
neighborhoods  er  de  'stonishment  kaze  he  aint  done  up'n 
tell  it.  I  speck  it  done  wuk  loose  fum  Brer  Jack  'mem- 
bunce." 


220  NIGHTS   WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  What  tale  was  that,  Uncle  Eemus  ?  " 

"  Seem  lak  dat  one  time  w'en  eve'ything  en  eve'ybody 
was  runnin'  'long  des  lak  dey  bin  had  waggin'  grease  'pun 
urn,  ole  Brer  Wolf"— 

The  little  boy  laughed  incredulously  and  Uncle  Eemus 
paused  and  frowned  heavily. 

"  Why,  Uncle  Eemus  !  how  did  Brother  Wolf  get  away 
from  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  ?  " 

The  old  man's  frown  deepened  and  his  voice  was  full  of 
anger  as  he  replied  : 

"Now,  den,  is  I'm  de  tale,  er  is  de  tale  me?  Tell 
me  dat !  Is  I'm  de  tale,  er  is  de  tale  me?  Well,  den, 
ef  I  aint  de  tale  en  de  tale  aint  me,  den  how  come  you 
wanter  take'n  rake  me  over  de  coals  fer  ?  " 

"  Well,  Uncle  Eemus,  you  know  what  you  said.  You 
said  that  was  the  end  of  Brother  Wolf." 

"  I  bleedz  ter  'spute  dat,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Eemus,  with 
the  air  of  one  performing  a  painful  duty ;  "  I  bleedz  ter 
'spute  it.  Dat  w'at  de  tale  say.  Ole  Eemus  is  one 
nigger  en  de  tale,  hit's  a  n'er  nigger.  Yit  I  aint  got  no  time 
fer  ter  set  back  yer  en  fetch  out  de  oggyments." 

Here  the  old  man  paused,  closed  his  eyes,  leaned  back 
in  his  chair,  and  sighed.  After  a  while  he  said,  in  a  gentle 
tone : 

"  So  den,  Brer  Wolf  done  dead,  en  yer  I  wuz  runnin' 
on  des  same  lak  he  wuz  done  'live  Well !  well !  well !  " 

Uncle  Eemus  stole  a  glance  at  the  little  boy,  anc[  im- 
mediately relented. 

"  Yit,"  he  went  on,  "  ef  I'm  aint  de  tale  and  de  tale  aint  me, 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  MOSQUITOES.   221 

hit  aint  skacely  make  no  diffunce  whe'er  Brer  Wolf  dead  er 
whe'er  he's  a  high-primin'  'roun'  bodder'n  'longer  de  yuther 
creeturs.  Dead  er  no  dead,  dey  wuz  one  time  w'en  Brer 
Wolf  live  in  de  swamp  down  dar  in  dat  ar  country  whar 
Brer  Jack  come  fum,  en,  mo'n  dat,  he  had  a  mighty  likely 
gal.  Look  lak  all  de  yuther  creeturs  wuz  atter  'er.  Dey 
'ud  go  down  dar  ter  Brer  Wolf  house,  dey  would,  en  dey 
'ud  set  up  and  court  de  gal,  en  'joy  deyse'f. 

"  Hit  went  on  dis  away  'twel  atter  w'ile  de  skeeters  'gun 
ter  git  monst'us  bad.  Brer  Fox,  he  went  flyin'  'roun'  Miss 
Wolf,  en  he  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  run  on  wid  'er  en  fight 
skeeters  des  es  big  ez  life  en  twice-t  ez  natchul.  Las'  Brer 
Wolf,  he  tuck'n  kotch  Brer  Fox  slappin'  en  fightin'  at  he 
skeeters.  Wid  dat  he  tuck'n  tuck  Brer  Fox  by  de  off 
year  en  led  'im  out  ter  de  front  gate,  en  w'en  he  git  dar, 
he  'low,  he  did,  dat  no  man  w'at  can't  put  up  wid  skeeters 
aint  gwine  ter  come  a-courtin'  his  gal. 

"  Den  Brer  Coon,  he  come  flyin'  'roun'  de  gal,  but  he 
aint  bin  dar  no  time  skacely  'fo'  he  'gun  ter  knock  at  de 
skeeters  ;  en  no  sooner  is  he  done  dis  dan  Brer  Wolf  show 
'im  de  do'.  Brer  Mink,  he  come  en  try  he  han',  yit  he 
bleedz  ter  fight  de  skeeters,  en  Brer  Wolf  ax  'im  out. 

w  Hit  went  on  dis  away  twel  bimeby  all  de  creeturs  bin 
flyin'  'roun'  Brer  Wolf's  gal  'ceppin'  it's  ole  Brer  Rabbit, 
en  w'en  he  year  w'at  kinder  treatments  de  yuther  creeturs 
bin  ketchin'  he  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  b'leeve  in  he  soul  he 
mus'  go  down  ter  Brer  Wolf  house  en  set  de  gal  out  one 
whet  ef  it's  de  las'  ack. 

"  No  sooner  say,  no  sooner  do.     Off  he  put,  en  'twa'n't 


222  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

long  'fo'  he  fine  hisse'f  knockin'  at  Brer  Wolf  front  do'. 
Ole  Sis  Wolf,  she  tuck'n  put  down  'er  knittin'  en  she  up'n 
'low,  she  did  : 

"'Whodat?' 

"  De  gal,  she  uz  stannin'  up  'fo'  de  lookin'-glass  sorter 
primpin',  en  she  choke  back  a  giggle,  she  did,  en 
low: 

' '  Sh-h-h  !  My  goodness,  mammy  !  dat's  Mr.  Rabbit. 
I  year  de  gals  say  he's  a  mighty  prop-en-tickler l  genter- 
mun,  en  I  des  hope  you  aint  gwine  ter  set  dar  en  run  on 
lak  you  mos'  allers  does  w'en  I  got  comp'ny  'bout  how 
much  soap-grease  you  done  save  up  en  how  many  kittens 
de  ole  cat  got.  I  gits  right  'shame'  sometimes,  dat  I 
does!'" 

The  little  boy  looked  astonished. 

"  Did  she  talk  that  way  to  her  mamma  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Shoo,  chile  !  'Mungs'  all  de  creeturs  dey  aint  no  mo' 
kuse  creeturs  dan  de  gals.  Ole  ez  I  is,  ef  I  wuz  ter 
start  in  dis  minnit  fer  ter  tell  you  how  kuse  de  gals  is, 
en  de  Lord  wuz  ter  spar'  me  plum  twel  I  git  done,  yo' 
head  'ud  be  gray,  en  Remus  'ud  be  des  twice-t  ez  ole  ez 
w'at  he  is  right  now." 

"Well,  what  did  her  mamma  say,  Uncle  Remus?" 

"  Ole  Sis  Wolf,  she  sot  dar,  she  did,  en  settle  'er  cap 
on  'er  head,  en  snicker,  en  look  at  de  gal  lak  she  monst'us 
proud.  De  gal,  she  tuck'n  shuck  'erself  'fo'  de  lookin'- 
glass  a  time  er  two,  en  den  she  tipt  ter  de  do'  en  open'  it 
little  ways  en  peep  out  des  lak  she  skeer'd  some  un  gwine 

1  Proper  and  particular. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  MOSQUITOES.   223 

ter  hit  'er  a  clip  side  de  head.  Dar  stood  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  lookin'  des  ez  slick  ez  a  race-hoss.  De  gal,  she 
tuck'n  laff,  she  did,  en  holler : 

'  W'y  law,  maw  !  hit's  Mr.  Rabbit,  en  yer  we  bin 
'fraid  it  'uz  some  'un  w'at  aint  got  no  business  'roun' 
yer!' 

"  Ole  Sis  Wolf  she  look  over  'er  specks,  'en  snicker,  en 
den  she  up'n  'low  : 

'  Well,  don't  keep  'im  stannin'  out  dar  all  night.  Ax 
'im  in,  fer  goodness  sake.' 

"  Den  de  gal,  she  tuck'n  drap  'er  hankcher,  en  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  dipt  down  en  grab  it  en  pass  it  ter  'er  wid  a 
bow,  en  de  gal  say  she  much  'blige,  kaze  dat  'uz  mo'  den 
Mr.  Fox  'ud  er  done,  en  den  she  ax  Brer  Rabbit  how  he 
come  on,  en  Brer  Rabbit  'low  he  right  peart,  en  den  he 
ax  'er  wharbouts  'er  daddy,  en  ole  Sis  Wolf  'low  she  go 
fine  'im. 

"  'Twa'n't  long  To'  Brer  Rabbit  year  Brer  Wolf  stompin' 
de  mud  ofPn  he  foots  in  de  back  po'ch,  en  den  bimeby  in 
he  come.  Dey  shuck  ban's,  dey  did,  en  Brer  Rabbit  say 
dat  w'en  he  go  callin'  on  he  'quaintunce,  hit  aint  feel 
natchul  'ceppin'  de  man  er  de  house  settin'  'roun'  some'rs. 

"Ef  he  don't  talk  none,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'he 
kin  des  set  up  ag'in'  de  chimbly-jam  en  keep  time  by 
noddin'.' 

"  But  ole  Brer  Wolf,  he  one  er  deze  yer  kinder  mens 
w'at  got  de  whimzies,1  en  he  up'n  'low  dat  he  don't  let 

1  In  these  latter  days  a  man  with  the  whimzies,  or  whimsies,  is  known  simply 
as  a  crank. 


224  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

hisse'f  git  ter  noddin'  front  er  comp'ny.  Dey  run  on  dis 
away  twel  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  year  de  skeeters  come 
zoonin'  'roun',  en  claimin'  kin  wid  'im." 

The  little  boy  laughed;  but  Uncle  Remus  was  very 
serious. 

"  Co'se  dey  claim  kin  wid  'im.  Dey  claims  kin  wid 
folks  yit,  let  'lone  Brer  Rabbit.  Manys  en  manys  de 
time  w'en  I  year  um  sailin'  'roun'  en  singin*  out  '  Cousin ! 
Cousin!1  en  I  let  you  know,  honey,  de  skeeters  is  mighty 
close  kin  w'en  dey  gits  ter  be  yo'  cousin. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  year  um  zoonin',"  the  old  man  con- 
tinued, "  en  he  know  he  got  ter  do  some  mighty  nice 
talkin',  so  he  up'n  ax  fer  drink  er  water.  De  gal,  she 
tuck'n  fotch  it. 

"  Mighty  nice  water,  Brer  Wolf.'  (De  skeeters  dey 
zoon.)1 

"Some  say  it  too  full  er  wiggletails,2  Brer  Rabbit.' 
(.De  skeeters,  dey  zoon  en  dey  zoon.) 

'"Mighty  nice  place  you  got,  Brer  Wolf.'  (Skeeters 
dey  zoon.) 

"Some  say  it  too  low  in  de  swamp,  Brer  Rabbit.' 
(Skeeters  dey  zoon  en  dey  zoon.) 

"Dey  zoon  so  bad,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  drawing  a  long 
breath,  "dat  Brer  Rabbit  'gun  ter  git  skeer'd,  en  w'en  dat 
creetur  git  skeer'd,  he  min'  wuk  lak  one  er  deze  yer 
flutter-mills.  Bimeby,  he  'low  : 

1  The  information  in  parentheses  is  imparted  in  a  low,  impressive,  confiden- 
tial tone. 
.  2  Is  it  necessary  to  say  that  the  wiggletail  is  the  embryo  mosquito  ? 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  MOSQUITOES.   225 

'  Went  ter  town  t'er  day,  en  dar  I  seed  a  sight  w'at  I 
never  speckted  ter  see.' 

«<  W'at  dat,  Brer  Rabbit?' 

'"  Spotted  hoss,  Brer  Wolf.' 

w'JVb,  Brer  Rabbit!' 

"  '  I  mos'  sho'ly  seed  'im,  Brer  Wolf.' 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  scratch  he  head,  en  de  gal  she  hilt  up 
'er  han's  en  make  great  'miration  'bout  de  spotted  hoss. 
(De  skeeters  dey  zoon,  en  dey  keep  on  zoonin'.)  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  talk  on,  he  did : 

'  'Twa'n't  des  one  spotted  hoss,  Brer  Wolf,  twuz  a 
whole  team  er  spotted  bosses,  en  dey  went  gallin'-up1  des 
lak  de  yuther  bosses,'  sezee.  f  Let  'lone  dat,  Brer  Wolf, 
my  grandaddy  wuz  spotted,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Gal,  she  squeal  en  holler  out : 

" '  W'y,  Brer  Rabbit !  aint  you  'shame'  yo'se'f  fer  ter 
be  talkin'  dat  away,  en  'bout  yo'  own-'lone  blood 
kin  too?' 

' '  Hit's  de  naked  trufe  I'm  a  ginin'2  un  you,'  sez  Brer 
Rabbit,  sezee.  ( Skeeter  zoon  en  come  closeter.) 

"  Brer  Wolf  'low  '  Well-well-well ! '  Ole  Sis  Wolf, 
she  'low  'Tooby  sho'ly,  tooby  sho'ly  ! '  ( Skeeter  zoon  en 
come  nigher  en  nigher.)  Brer  Rabbit  'low  : 

'  Yasser  !  Des  ez  sho'  ez  youer  settin'  dar,  my  gran- 
daddy  wuz  spotted.  Spotted  all  over.  (Slceeter  come 
zoonin'  up  and  light  on  Brer  Rabbit  jaw.)  He  wuz 
dat.  He  had  er  great  big  spot  right  yer  ! ' ' 

1  Galloping. 

2  G  hard  as  in  give. 


226  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

Here  Uncle  Kemus  raised  his  hand  and  struck  himself  a 
resounding  slap  on  the  side  of  the  face  where  the  mosquito 
was  supposed  to  be,  and  continued : 

"  No  sooner  is  he  do  dis  dan  ne'r  skeeter  come  zoonin* 
'roun'  en  light  on  Brer  Rabbit  leg.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  talk 
en  he  talk : 

' '  Po'  ole  grandaddy  !  I  boun'  he  make  you  laff,  he 
look  so  funny  wid  all  dem  spots  and  speckles.  He  had 
spot  on  de  side  er  de  head,  whar  I  done  show  you,  en  den 
he  had  n'er  big  spot  right  yer  on  de  leg,'  sezee. 

Uncle  Remus  slapped  himself  on  the  leg  below  the 
knee,  and  was  apparently  so  serious  about  it  that  the 
little  boy  laughed  loudly.  The  old  man  went  on  : 

"Skeeter  zoon  en  light  'twix'  Brer  Rabbit  shoulder- 
blades.  Den  he  talk  : 

"B'leeve  me  er  not  b'leeve  me  ef  you  min'  too,  but 
my  grandaddy  had  a  big  black  spot  up  yer  on  he  back  w'ich 
look  lak  saddle-mark.' 

"  Blip  Brer  Rabbit  tuck  hisse'f  on  de  back ! 

"  Skeeter  sail  'roun'  en  zoon  en  light  down  yer  beyan 
de  hip-bone.  He  say  he  grandaddy  got  spot  down  dar. 

"  Blip  he  tuck  hisse'f  beyan  de  hip-bone. 

"Hit  keep  on  dis  away,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  who 
had  given  vigorous  illustrations  of  Brer  Rabbit's  method 
of  lulling  mosquitoes  while  pretending  to  tell  a  story, 
"  twel  bimeby  ole  Brer  Wolf  en  ole  Sis  Wolf  dey  lissen 
at  Brer  Rabbit  twel  dey  'gun  ter  nod,  en  den  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  en  de  gal  dey  sot  up  dar  en  kill  skeeters  right 
erlong." 


THE    PIMMERLY    PLUM.  227 

"Did  he  marry  Brother  Wolf s  daughter?"  asked  the 
little  boy. 

"I  year  talk,"  replied  Uncle  Remus,  "  dat  Brer  Wolf 
sont  Brer  Rabbit  wud  nex'  day  dat  he  kin  git  de  gal 
by  gvvine  atter  'er,  but  I  aint  never  year  talk  'bout 
Brer  Rabbit  gwine.  De  day  atterwuds  wuz  mighty 
long  time,  en  by  den,  Brer  Rabbit  moughter  had  some 
yuther  projick  on  han'."1 


XXXVIII. 

THE  PIMMERLY  PLUM. 

» 

ONE  night,  when  the  little  boy  had  grown  tired  of 
waiting  for  a  story,  he  looked  at  Uncle  Remus,  and 
said : 

"  I  wonder  wnat  ever  became  of  old  Brother  Tarry- 
pin." 

Uncle  Remus  gave  a  sudden  start,  glanced  all  around 
the  cabin,  and  then  broke  into  a  laugh  that  ended  in 
a  yell  like  a  view-halloo. 

"  Well,  well,  well !     How  de  name  er  goodness  come 

i  This  story,  the  funniest  and  most  characteristic  of  all  the  negro  legends, 
cannot  be  satisfactorily  told  on  paper.  It  is  full  of  action,  and  all  the  interest 
centres  in  the  gestures  and  grimaces  that  must  accompany  an  explanation  of 
Brother  Rabbit's  method  of  disposing  of  the  mosquitoes.  The  story  was  first 
called  to  my  attention  by  Mr.  Marion  Erwin,  of  Savannah,  and  it  is  properly  a 
coast  legend,  but  I  have  heard  it  told  by  three  Middle  Georgia  negroes. 


228  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

you  ter  know  w'at  runnin'  on  in  my  min',  honey?  Mon, 
you  skeer'd  me ;  you  sho'ly  did ;  en  w'en  I  git  skeer'd 
I  bleedz  ter  holler.  Let  'lone  dat,  ef  I  keep  on  gittin' 
skeerder  en  skeerder,  you  better  gimme  room,  kaze  ef 
I  can't  git  'way  fum  dar  somebody  gwine  ter  git  hurted, 
en  deyer  gwine  ter  git  hurted  bad.  I  tell  you  dat  right 
pine-blank."1 

"  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin ! "  continued  Uncle  Remus  in  a 
tone  of  exultation.  "  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  !  Now,  who  bin 
year  tell  er  de  beat  er  dat  ?  Dar  you  sets  studyin'  'bout 
ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  yer  I  sets  studyin'  'bout  ole  Brer 
Tarrypin.  Hit  make  me  feel  so  kuse  dat  little  mo'  en  I'd 
a  draw'd  my  Rabbit-foot  en  shuck  it  at  you." 

The  little  boy  was  delighted  when  Uncle  Remus  went 
off  into  these  rhapsodies.  However  nonsensical  they 
might  seem  to  others,  to  the  child  they  were  positively 
thrilling,  and  he  listened  with  rapt  attention,  scarcely 
daring  to  stir. 

"  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  ?     Well,  well,  well !  — 

"  '  Wen  in  he  prime 
He  tuck  he  time  !  ' 

"  Dat  w'at  make  he  hoi'  he  age  so  good.  Dey  tells  me 
dat  somebody  'cross  dar  in  Jasper  county,  tuck'n  kotch  a 
Tarrypin  w'ich  he  got  marks  cut  in  he  back  dat  'uz  put  dar 
'fo'  our  folks  went  fer  ter  git  revengeance  in  de  Moccasin 
war.  Dar  whar  yo'  Unk'  Jeems  bin,"  Uncle  Remus  ex- 
plained, noticing  the  little  boy's  look  of  astonishment. 

1  Point-blank. 


THE    PIMMERLY    PLUM.  229 

"  Oh !  "  exclaimed  the  child,  w  that  was  the  Mexican 
war." 

"Well,"  responded  Uncle  Remus,  closing  his  eyes  with 
a  sigh,  "  I  aint  one  er  deze  yer  kinder  folks  w'at  choke 
deyse'f  wid  names.  One  name  aint  got  none  de  Vantage 
er  no  yuther  name.  En  ef  de  Tarry  pin  got  de  marks  on 
?im  hit  don't  make  no  diffunce  whe'er  yo'  Unk'  Jeems 
Abercrombie  git  his  re  vengeance  out'n  de  Moccasin  folks, 
er  whe'er  he  got  it  out'n  de  Mackersons." 

"  Mexicans,  Uncle  Remus." 

"  Tooby  sho',  honey  ;  let  it  go  at  dat.  But  don't  less 
pester  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  wid  it,  kaze  he  done  b'long  ter  a 
tribe  all  by  he  own  'lone  se'f. —  I  'clar'  ter  gracious," 
exclaimed  the  old  man  after  a  pause,  "  ef  hit  don't  seem 
periently  lak  'twuz  yistiddy  !  " 

"What,  Uncle  Remus?" 

"  Oh,  des  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  honey ;  des  ole  Brer 
Tarrypin  en  a  tale  w'at  I  year  'bout  'im,  how  he  done 
tuck'n  do  Brer  Fox." 

"Did  he  scare  him,  Uncle  Remus?"  the  little  boy 
asked,  as  the  old  man  paused. 

"No,  my  goodness  !     Wuss'n  dat !  " 

"Did  he  hurt  him?" 

"  No,  my  goodness  !     Wuss'n  dat !  " 

"Did  he  kill  him?" 

"  No,  my  goodness  !     Lots  wuss'n  dat !  " 

"Now,  Uncle  Remus,  what  did  he  do  to  Brother 
Fox?" 

"  Honey  !  "  —  here  the  old  man  lowered  his  voice  as  if 


230  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

about  to  describe  a  great  'outrage  —  "  Honey  !  he  tuck'n 
make  a  fool  out'n  'im  !  " 

The  child  laughed,  but  it  was  plain  that  he  failed  to 
appreciate  the  situation,  and  this  fact  caused  Uncle 
Remus  to  brighten  up  and  go  on  with  the  story. 

"  One  time  w'en  de  sun  shine  down  mighty  hot,  ole 
Brer  Tarrypin  wuz  gwine  'long  down  de  road.  He  'uz 
gwine  'long  down,  en  he  feel  mighty  tired ;  he  puff,  en  he 
blow,  en  he  pant.  He  breff  come  lak  he  got  de  azmy 
'way  down  in  he  win'-pipe ;  but,  nummine  !  he  de  same 
ole  Creep-um-crawl-um  Have-some-fun-um.  He  'uz  gwine 
'long  down  de  big  road,  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  wuz,  en 
bimeby  he  come  ter  de  branch.  He  tuck'n  crawl  in, 
he  did,  en  got  'im  a  drink  er  water,  en  den  he  crawl  out 
on  t'er  side  en  set  down  und'  de  shade  un  a  tree.  Atter 
he  sorter  ketch  he  win',  he  look  up  at  de  sun  fer  ter  see 
w'at  time  er  day  is  it,  en,  lo  en  beholes  !  he  tuck'n  skivver 
dat  he  settin  in  de  shade  er  de  sycamo'  tree.  No  sooner 
is  he  skivver  dis  dan  he  sing  de  old  song : 

" '  Good  luck  ter  dent  w'at  come  and  go, 
W'at  set  in  de  shade  er  de  sycamo'.' 

"Brer  Tarrypin  he  feel  so  good  en  de  shade  so  cool,  dat 
twa'n't  long  fo'  he  got  ter  noddin',  en  bimeby  he  drapt  off 
en  went  soun'  asleep.  Co'se,  Brer  Tarrypin  kyar  he 
house  wid  'im  eve'ywhar  he  go,  en  w'en  he  fix  fer  ter  go 
ter  sleep,  he  des  shet  de  do'  en  pull  too  de  winder-shetters, 
en  dar  he  is  des  ez  snug  ez  de  ole  black  cat  und'  de  barn. 

"Brer  Tarrypin  lay  dar,  he  did,  en  sleep,  en  sleep.    He 


THE  PIMMERLY  PLUM.  231 

dunner  how  long  he  sleep,  but  bimeby  he  feel  somebody 
foolin'  'long  wid  'im.  He  keep  de  do'  shet,  en  he  lay  dar 
en  lissen.  He  feel  somebody  tu'nin'  he  house  'roun'  en 
'roun'.  Dis  sorter  skeer  Brer  Terrypin,  kaze  he  know 
dat  ef  dey  tu'n  he  house  upside  down  he  'ull  have  all 
sorts  er  times  gittin'  back.  Wid  dat,  he  open  de  do'  little 
ways,  en  he  see  Brer  Fox  projickin'  wid  'im.  He  open 
de  do'  little  furder,  he  did,  en  he  break  out  in  a  great  big 
hoss-laff,  en  holler : 

"  '  Well !  well,  well !  Who'd  a  thunk  it  I  Ole  Brer 
Fox,  cuter  dan  de  common  run,  is  done  come  en  kotch 
me.  En  he  come  at  sech  a  time,  too  !  I  feels  dat  full 
twel  I  can't  see  straight  skacely.  Ef  dey  wuz  any  jeal- 
ousness  proned  inter  me,  I'd  des  lay  yer  en  pout  kaze 
Brer  Fox  done  fine  out  whar  I  gits  my  PImmerly  Plum.' 

"In  dem  days,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  speaking  to 
the  child's  look  of  inquiry,  "  de  Pimmerly  Plum  wuz 
monst'us  skace.  Leavin'  out  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarry- 
pin  dey  wa'n't  none  er  de  yuther  creeturs  dat  yuvver  got  a 
glimp'  un  it,  let  'lone  a  tas'e.  So  den  w'en  Brer  Fox 
year  talk  er  de  Pimmerly  Plum,  bless  gracious  !  he  h'ist 
up  he  head  en  let  Brer  Tarrypin  'lone.  Brer  Tarrypin 
keep  on  laffin'  en  Brer  Fox  'low  : 

:??Hush,  Brer  Tarrypin  !  you  makes  my  mouf  water  ! 
Whar'bouts  de  Pimmerly  Plum?' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  sorter  cle'r  up  de  ho'seness  in  he 
throat,  en  sing : 

"  '  Poun'  er  sugar,  en  a  pint  er  rum, 
Aint  nigh  so  sweet  ez  de  Pimmerly  Plum  !  ' 


232  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  lif  up  he  han's,  he  did,  en  holler : 
'  e  Oh,  hush,  Brer  Tarry  pin  !  you  makes  me  dribble  ! 
Whar'bouts  dat  Pimmerly  Plum?' 

'  You  stannin'  right  und'  de  tree,  Brer  Fox  !  " 

" '  Brer  Tarrypin,  sho'ly  not !  " 

"  '  Yit  dar  you  stan's,  Brer  Fox  ! ' 

"Brer  Fox  look  up  in  de  tree  dar,  en  he  wuz 
'stonish'." 

"What  did  he  see  in  the  sycamore  tree,  Uncle 
Remus  ?  "  inquired  the  little  boy. 

There  was  a  look  of  genuine  disappointment  on  the  old 
man's  face,  as  he  replied  : 

"De  gracious  en  de  goodness,  honey  !  Aint  you  nev' 
is  see  dem  ar  little  bit  er  balls  w'at  grow  on  de  sycamo' 
tree?"1 

The  little  boy  laughed.  There  was  a  huge  sycamore 
tree  in  the  centre  of  the  circle  made  by  the  carriage  way 
in  front  of  the  "  big  house,"  and  there  were  sycamore 
trees  of  various  sizes  all  over  the  place.  The  little  balls 
alluded  to  by  Uncle  Remus  are  very  hard  at  certain  stages 
of  their  growth,  and  cling  to  the  tree  with  wonderful 
tenacity.  Uncle  Remus  continued  : 

"  Well,  den,  w'en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  vouch  dat  dem  ar 
sycamo'  balls  wuz  de  ginnywine  Pimmerly  Plum,  ole  Brer 
Fox,  he  feel  mighty  good,  yit  he  dunner  how  he  gwine 
git  at  um.  Push  'im  clos't,  en  maybe  he  mought  beat 
Brer  Tarrypin  clammin'  a  tree,  but  dish  yer  sycamo'  tree 

1  In  another  version  of  this  story,  current  among  the  negroes  the  sweet-gum 
tree  takes  the  place  of  the  sycamore. 


THE    PIMMERLY    PLUM.  233 

wuz  too  big  fer  Brer  Fox  fer  ter  git  he  arms  'roun'.     Den 
he  up'n  low : 

"'I  sees  um  hangin'  dar,  Brer  Tarrypin,  but  how  I 
gwine  git  um  ? ' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  open  he  do'  little  ways  en  holler  out : 

"'Ah-yi!  Dar  whar  ole  Slickum  Slow-come  got  de 
Vantage !  Youer  mighty  peart,  Brer  Fox,  yit  somehow 
er  nudder  you  aint  bin  a  keepin'  up  wid  ole  Slickum 
Slow-come.' 

' 'Brer  Tarrypin,  how  de  name  er  goodness  does  you 
git  um  ? ' 

" '  Don't  do  no  good  fer  ter  tell  you,  Brer  Fox.  Nimble 
heel  make  restless  min'.  You  aint  got  time  fer  ter  wait 
en  git  um,  Brer  Fox.' 

"'Brer  Tarrypin,  I  got  all  de  week  befo'  me.' 

"'Ef  I  tells  you,  you'll  go  en  tell  all  de  t'er  creeturs, 
en  den  dat'll  be  de  las'  er  de  Pimmerly  Plum,  Brer  Fox.' 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  dat  I  won't.'  Des  try  me  one  time 
en  see.' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  shet  he  eye  lak  he  studyin',  en  den  he 
'low  : 

' '  I  tell  you  how  I  does,  Brer  Fox.  Wen  I  wants  a  bait 
er  de  Pimmerly  Plum  right  bad,  I  des  takes  my  foot  in 
my  han'  en  comes  down  yer  ter  dish  yer  tree.  I  comes 
en  I  takes  my  stan'.  I  gits  right  und'  de  tree,  en  I  r'ars 
my  head  back  en  opens  my  mouf.  I  opens  my  mouf,  en 
w'en  de  Pimmerly  Plum  draps,  I  boun'  you  she  draps  right 
spang  in  dar.  All  you  got  ter  do  is  ter  set  en  wait,  Brer 
Fox.' 


234  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"Brer  Fox  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  He  des  sot  down  und' 
de  tree,  he  did,  en  r'ar'd  he  head  back,  en  open  he  mouf, 
en  I  wish  ter  goodness  you  mought  er  bin  had  er  chance 
fer  ter  see  'im  settin'  dar.  He  look  scan'lous,  dat's  de 
long  en  de  short  un  it ;  he  des  look  scan'lous." 

"  Did  he  get  the  Pimmerly  Plum,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  asked 
the  little  buy. 

"  Shoo  I  How  he  gwine  git  plum  whar  dey  aint  no 
plum?" 

"Well,  what  did  he  do?" 

"He  sot  dar  wid  he  mouf  wide  open,  en  eve'y  time 
Brer  Tarrypin  look  at  'im,  much  ez  he  kin  do  fer  ter  keep 
from  bustin'  aloose  en  laffin.  But  bimeby  he  make  he 
way  todes  home,  Brer  Tarrypin  did,  chucklin'  en  laffin', 
en  'twa'n't  long  'fo'  he  meet  Brer  Rabbit  tippin'  'long  down 
de  road.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  hail  'im. 

'  Wat  'muze  you  so  mighty  well,  Brer  Tarrypin  ? ' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  kotch  he  breff  atter  so  long  a  time, 
en  he  'low  : 

" '  Brer  Rabbit,  I'm  dat  tickle'  twel  I  can't  shuffle  'long, 
skacely,  en  I'm  fear'd  ef  I  up'n  tell  you  de  'casion  un  it, 
I'll  be  tooken  wid  one  er  my  spells  whar  folks  hatter  set 
up  wid  me  kaze  I  laugh  so  loud  en  laugh  so  long.' 

•*  Yit  atter  so  long  a  time,  Brer  Tarrypin  up'n  tell  Brer 
Rabbit,  en  dey  sot  dar  en  chaw'd  terbacker  en  kyar'd  on 
des  lak  sho'  nuff  folks.  Dat  dey  did  !  " 

Uncle  Remus  paused ;  but  the  little  boy  wanted  to  know 
what  became  of  Brer  Fox. 

"Hit's  mighty  kuse,"  said  the  old  man,  stirring  around 


BROTHER  RABBIT   GETS   THE  PROVISIONS.       235 

in  the  ashes  as  if  in  search  of  a  potato,  "  but  endurin'  er 
all  my  days  I  aint  nev'  year  nobody  tell  'bout  how  long 
Brer  Fox  sot  dar  waitin'  fer  de  Pimmerly  Plum." 


XXXIX. 

BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  THE  PROVISIONS. 

THE  next  time  the  little  boy  called  on  Uncle  Remus  a 
bright  fire  was  blazing  on  the  hearth.  He  could  see  the 
light  shining  under  the  door  before  he  went  into  the  cabin, 
and  he  knew  by  that  sign  that  the  old  man  had  company. 
In  fact,  Daddy  Jack  had  returned,  and  was  dozing  in  his 
accustomed  corner,  Aunt  Tempy  was  sitting  bolt  upright, 
nursing  her  contempt,  and  Uncle  Remus  was  making  a 
curious-looking  box.  None  of  the  negroes  paid  any 
attention  to  the  little  boy  when  he  entered,  but  somehow 
he  felt  that  they  were  waiting  for  him.  After  a  while 
Uncle  Remus  finished  his  curious-looking  box  and  laid  it 
upon  the  floor.  Then  he  lifted  his  spectacles  from  his 
nose  to  the  top  of  his  head,  and  remarked : 

"  Now,  den,  folks,  dar  she  is,  en  hit's  bin  so  long  sence 
I  uv  made  one  un  urn,  dat  she  make  me  sweat.  Yasser  ! 
She  did  dat.  Howsumev',  hit  aint  make  no  diffunce  wid 
me.  Promise  is  a  promise,  dough  you  make  it  in  de  dark 
er  de  moon.  Long  time  ago,  I  tuck'n  promise  one  er  my 
passin'  'quaintance  dat  some  er  deze  lonesome  days  de  ole 


236  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

nigger  'd  whirl  in  en  make  'im  a  rabbit-trap  ef  he'd  des  be 
so  good  ez  to  quit  he  devilment,  en  1'arn  he  behaveish- 
ness." 

"Is  that  my  rabbit-trap,  Uncle  Remus?"  exclaimed  the 
child.  He  would  have  picked  it  up  for  the  purpose  of 
examining  it,  but  Uncle  Remus  waved  him  off  with  a 
dignified  gesture. 

"  Don't  you  dast  ter  tetch  dat  ar  trap,  honey,  kaze  ef 
you  does,  dat  spiles  all.  I'll  des  hatter  go  ter  wuk  en 
make  it  bran-new,  en  de  Lord  knows  I  aint  got  no  time 
fer  ter  do  dat." 

"  Well,  Uncle  Remus,  you've  had  your  hands  on  it." 

"Tooby  sho'  I  is  —  tooby  sho'  I  is  !  En  w'at's  mo'  dan 
dat,  I  bin  had  my  han's  in  tar- water." 

"  I  year  talk  er  dat,"  remarked  Aunt  Tempy,  with  an 
approving  nod. 

"  Yasser !  in  de  natal  tar- water,"  continued  Uncle 
Remus.  You  put  yo'  han'  in  a  pa'tridge  nes',  en  he'll 
quit  dem  premises  dough  he  done  got  'lev'm  dozen  aigs  in 
dar.  Same  wid  Rabbit.  Dey  aint  got  sense  lak  de  ole- 
time  Rabbit,  but  I  let  you  know  dey  aint  gwine  in  no  trap 
whar  dey  smell  folks  han's  —  dat  dey  aint.  Dat  w'at 
make  I  say  w'at  I  does.  Don't  put  yo'  han'  on  it ;  don't 
tetch  it ;  don't  look  at  it  skacely." 

The  little  boy  subsided,  but  he  continued  to  cast  long- 
ing looks  at  the  trap,  seeing  which  Uncle  Remus  sought 
to  change  the  current  of  his  thoughts. 

"  She  bin  er  mighty  heap  er  trouble,  mon,  yet  I  mighty 
glad  I  tuck'n  make  dat  ar  trap.  She's  a  solid  un,  sho', 


BROTHER  RABBIT   GETS   THE   PROVISIONS.       237 

en  ef  dey  wuz  ter  be  any  skaceness  er  vittles,  I  lay  dat 
ar  trap  'ud  help  us  all  out." 

"  De  Lord  knows,"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy,  rubbing  her 
fat  hands  together,  "  I  hope  dey  aint  gwine  ter  be  no 
famishin'  'roun'  yer  mungs  we  all." 

"Likely  not,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "yet  de  time  mought 
come  w'en  a  big  swamp  rabbit  kotch  in  dat  ar  trap  would 
go  a  mighty  long  ways  in  a  fambly  no  bigger  dan  w'at 
mine  is." 

"  Mo'  speshually,"  remarked  Aunt  Tempy,  "  ef  you  put 
dat  wid  w'at  de  neighbors  mought  sen'  in." 

"Eh-eh  !  "  Uncle  Remus  exclaimed,  "don't  you  put  no 
'pennunce  in  dem  neighbors  —  don't  you  do  it.  Wen 
famine  time  come  one  man  aint  no  better  dan  no  yuther 
man  'ceppin'  he  be  eoopless ;  en  he  got  ter  be  mighty 
soople  at  dat." 

The  old  man  paused  and  glanced  at  the  little  boy. 
The  child  was  still  looking  longingly  at  the  trap,  and 
Uncle  Remus  leaned  forward  and  touched  him  lightly  on 
the  shoulder.  It  was  a  familiar  gesture,  gentle  and  yet 
rough,  a  token  of  affection,  and  yet  a  command  to  atten- 
tion ;  for  the  venerable  darkey  could  be  imperious  enough 
when  surrendering  to  the  whims  of  his  little  partner. 

"All  dish  yer  talk  'bout  folks  pe'shin'  out,"  Uncle 
Remus  went  on  with  an  indifferent  air,  "  put  me  in  min' 
er  de  times  w'en  de  creeturs  tuck'n  got  up  a  famine 
mungs  deyse'f.  Hit  come  'bout  dat  one  time  vittles  wuz 
monst'us  skace  en  high,  en  money  mighty  slack.  Long 
ez  dey  wuz  any  vittles  gwine  'roun',  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'uz 


238  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

'boun'  ter  git  he  sheer  un  um,  but  bimeby  hit  come  ter 
dat  pass  dat  Brer  Rabbit  stomach  'gun  ter  pinch  'im ;  en 
w'iles  he  gettin'  hongry  de  yuther  creeturs,  dey  uz  gettin' 
hongry  deyse'f.  Hit  went  on  dis  away  twel  one  day 
Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Wolf  meet  up  wid  one  er  n'er  in  de 
big  road,  en  atter  dey  holler  howdy  dey  sat  down,  dey 
did,  en  make  a  bargain. 

"  Dey  tuck'n  'gree  wid  one  er  n'er  dat  dey  sell  der 
mammy  en  take  de  money  en  git  sump'n  n'er  ter  eat. 
Brer  Wolf,  he  'low,  he  did,  dat  bein's  hit  seem  lak  he  de 
hongriest  creetur  on  de  face  er  de  yeth,  dat  he  sell  his 
mammy  fus',  en  den,  atter  de  vittles  gin  out,  Brer  Rabbit 
he  kin  sell  he  own  mammy  en  git  some  mo'  grub. 

"  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  chipt  in  en  'greed,  he  did,  en  Brer 
Wolf,  he  tuck'n  hitch  up  he  team,  en  put  he  mammy  in 
de  waggin,  en  den  him  en  Brer  Rabbit  druv  off.  Man 
come  'long : 

"'Whar  yougwine?' 

"  'Gwine  'long  down  ter  town, 
Wid  a  lag  er  co'n  fer  ter  sell; 
We  aint  got  time  fer  ter  stop  en  talk, 
Yit  we  wish  you  mighty  well ! ' 

"  Did  they  talk  poetry  that  way,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  the 
little  boy  inquired. 

"  Shoo  !  lot's  wuss  dan  dat,  honey.  Dey  wuz  constant 
a  gwine  on  dat  away,  en  ef  I  wa'n't  gittin'  so  mighty  weak- 
kneed  in  de  membunce  I'd  bust  aloose  yer  en  I'd  fair 
wake  you  up  wid  de  gwines  on  er  dem  ar  creeturs. 


BROTHER  RABBIT   GETS  THE   PROVISIONS.       239 

"Now,  den,  dey  tuck'n  kyar  Brer  Wolf  mammy  ter 
town  en  sell  'er,  en  dey  start  back  wid  a  waggin-load  er 
vittles.  De  day  wuz  a  wanin'  en  de  sun  wuz  a  settin'. 
De  win'  tuck'n  blow  up  sorter  stiff,  en  de  sun  look  red 
when  she  settin'.  Dey  druv  on,  en  druv  on.  De  win' 
blow,  en  de  sun  shine  red.  Bimeby,  Brer  Wolf  scrooch 
up  en  shiver,  en  'low  : 

"  '  Brer  Rabbit,  I'm  a  gittin'  mighty  cole.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  laugh  en  'low  : 

' '  I'm  a  gittin'  sorter  creepy  myself,  Brer  Wolf.' 

"Dey  druv  on  en  druv  on.  Win'  blow  keen,  sun  shine 
red.  Brer  Wolf  scrooch  up  in  little  knot.  Bimeby  he 
sing  out : 

' '  Brer  Rabbit,  I'm  freezin' !  I'm  dat  cole  I  dunner 
w'at  ter  do  ! ' 

"Brer  Babbit,  he  p'int  ter  de  settin'  sun  en  say  : 

'You  see  dat  great  big  fier  'cross  dar  in  de  woods, 
Brer  Wolf?  Well,  dey  aint  nothin'  ter  hender  you  fum 
gwine  dar  en  wommin'  yo'se'f  en  I'll  wait  yer  fer  you. 
Gimme  de  lines,  Brer  Wolf,  en  you  go  worn  yo'se'f  all 
over.' 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Wolf,  he  put  out  des  ez  hard  ez 
he  kin,  fer  ter  see  ef  he  can't  fin'  de  fier,  en  wiles  he 
wuz  gone,  bless  goodness,  w'at  should  Brer  Rabbit  do 
but  cut  off  de  hosses'  tails  en  stick  um  down  deep  in 
de  mud  —  " 

"  Le'  'im  'lone,  now  !  Des  le'  'im  'lone  ! "  exclaimed 
Aunt  Tempy  in  an  ecstasy  of  admiration. 

"He  stick  de  hosses'  tails  down  in  de  mud,"  continued 


240  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Uncle  Remus,  "  en  den  he  tuck'n  druv  de  waggin  'way  off 
in  de  swamp  en  hide  it.  Den  he  tuck'n  come  back,  ole 
Brer  Rabbit  did,  fer  ter  wait  fer  Brer  Wolf. 

"  Atter  so  long  a  time,  sho'  miff,  yer  come  Brer  Wolf 
des  a  gallin-up  back.  Brer  Rabbit  he  hail  'im. 

'" Is  you  worn  yo'se'f,  Brer  Wolf?' 

" '  Brer  Rabbit,  don't  talk  !  Dat  de  mos'  seetful  fier 
w'at  I  had  any  speunce  un.  I  run,  en  I  run,  en  I  run, 
en  de  mo  w'at  I  run  de  furder  de  fier  git.  De  nigher  you 
come  ter  dat  fier  de  furder  hit's  off/ 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  scratch  hisse'f  behime  de  shoul- 
der-blade, en  'low : 

''Nummine  'bout  de  fier,  Brer  Wolf.  I  got  sump'n 
yer  dat'll  worn  you  up.  Ef  you  aint  nev'  bin  worn  befo', 
I  lay  you'll  get  worn  dis  time.' 

"  Dis  make  Brer  Wolf  sorter  look  'roun',  en  w'en  he  see 
Brer  Rabbit  hol'in'  on  ter  de  two  hoss-tails,  he  up'n  squall 
out,  he  did : 

f  f  Lawdy  mussy,  Brer  Rabbit !  Whar  my  vittles  ? 
Whar  my  waggin  ?  Whar  my  bosses  ?  ' 

"Deyerall  right  yer,  Brer  Wolf;  dey  er  all  right 
yer.  I  stayed  dar  whar  you  lef '  me  twel  de  hosses  gun 
ter  git  restless.  Den  I  cluck  at  um,  en,  bless  gracious, 
dey  start  off  en  Ian'  in  a  quicksan'.  W'en  dey  gun  ter 
mire,  I  des  tuck'n  tu'n  eve'y  thing  a-loose  en  grab  de 
hosses  by  de  tail,  en  I  bin  stan'in'  yer  wishin'  fer  you, 
Brer  Wolf,  twel  I  done  gone  gray  in  de  min'.  I  'low  ter 
myse'f  dat  I  'd  hang  on  ter  deze  yer  hoss-tails  ef  it  killt 
eve'y  cow  in  de  islan'.  Come  he'p  me,  Brer  Wolf,  en  I 


"CUTTA    CORD-LA!"  241 

lay  we'll  des  natally  pull  de  groun'  out  but  w'at  we'll  git 
deze  creeturs  out.' 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Wolf,  he  kotch  holt  er  one  hoss-tail, 
en  Brer  Kabbit,  he  kotch  holt  er  de  yuther,  en  w'en  dey 
pull,  co'se  de  tails  come  out'n  de  mud.  Dey  stood  dar, 
dey  did,  en  dey  look  at  de  tails  en  den  dey  look  at  one 
n'er.  Bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  'low  : 

'  Well,  sir,  Brer  Wolf;  we  pull  so  hard  twel  we  pull 
de  tails  plum  out ! ' 

' '  Ole  Brer  Wolf,  he  dunner  w'at  ter  do,  but  it  gun  ter 
git  dark,  en  'twa'n't  long  'fo'  he  tell  Brer  Rabbit  good-by, 
en  off  he  put  fer  home.  Dat  ar  Brer  Rablfit,"  Uncle  Re- 
mus went  on,  "  he  des  tuck'n  wait  twel  Brer  Wolf  git  out'n 
yearin',  en  den  he  went  into  de  swamp  en  druv  de  bosses 
home  en  git  all  de  vittles,  en  he  aint  hatter  sell  he  ole 
mammy  n'er.  Dat  he  aint." 


XL. 
"  CUTTA  CORD-LA!" 

To  all  appearances  Daddy  Jack  had  taken  no  interest 
in  Uncle  Remus's  story  of  the  horses'  tails,  and  yet,  as 
soon  as  the  little  boy  and  Aunt  Tempy  were  through 
laughing  at  a  somewhat  familiar  climax,  the  old  African 
began  to  twist  and  fidget  in  his  chair,  and  mumble  to 
himself  in  a  lingo  which  might  have  been  understood  on 


242  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

the  Guinea  coast,  but  which  sounded  out  of  place  in 
Uncle  Remus's  Middle  Georgia  cabin.  Presently,  how- 
ever, his  uneasiness  took  tangible  shape.  He  turned 
around  and  exclaimed  impatiently : 

"  Shuh-shuh  !  w'en  you  sta't  fer  tell-a  dem  tale,  wey  you 
no  tell  um  lak  dey  stan'  ?  'E  bery  bad  fer  twis'  dem  tale 
'roun'  un  'roun'.  Wey  you  no  talk  um  stret?" 

"Well,  Brer  Jack,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  smiling  good- 
humoredly  upon  the  queer  little  old  man,  "  ef  we  done 
gone  en  got  dat  ar  tale  all  twis'  up,  de  way  fer  you  ter  do 
is  ter  whirl  in  en  ontwis'  it,  en  we-all  folks  '11  set  up  yer 
en  he'p  you  out  plum  twel  Mars.  John  comes  a  hollerin' 
en  a  bawlin  atter  dish  yer  baby  ;  en  atter  he  done  gone  ter 
bed,  den  me  en  sis  Tempy  yer  we  ull  set  up  wid  you  plum 
twel  de  chickens  crow  fer  day.  Dem's  de  kinder  folk  we 
all  is  up  yer.  We  aint  got  many  swimps  en  crabs  up 
yer  in  Putmon  county,  but  w'en  it  come  ter  settin'  up  wid 
comp'ny  en  hangin'  'roun'  atter  dark  fer  ter  make  de  time 
pass  away,  we  er  mighty  rank.  Now  den,  Brer  Jack,  I 
done  call  de  roll  wid  my  eye,  en  we  er  all  yer  'ceppin'  dat 
ar  'Tildy  gal,  en  'twon't  be  long  'fo'  she'll  be  a  drappin' 
in.  Run  over  in  yo'  min',  en  whar  my  tale  'uz  wrong, 
des  whirl  in  en  put  'er  ter  rights." 

"  Shuh-shuh  !  "  exclaimed  the  old  African,  "  Oonano  git 
dem  tale  stret.  I  yed  dem  wey  me  lif ;  'e  soun'  lak  dis  : 
One  tarn  dem  bittle  bin  git  bery  skace.  Da  rice  crop  mek 
nuttin  ;  da  fish  swim  low  ;  da  bud  fly  high.  Hard  times 
bin  come  dey-dey.  'E  so  hard,  dem  creeturs  do  git  hon- 
kry  fer  true.  B'er  Rabbit  un  B'er  Wolf  dey  come  pit 


"CUTTA  CORD-LA!"  243 

bote  'e  head  tergerrer ;  dey  is  mek  talk  how  honkry  dey 
is  way  down  in  da  belly. 

"  Bumbye,  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  shed  'e  y-eye,  'e  say  dey 
mus'  kill  dey  gran'mammy.  B'er  Wolf  say  'e  mek  'e 
y-eye  come  wat'ry  fer  yeddy  da  talk  lak  dat.  B'er  Rab- 
bit say  : 

r '  Ki,  B'er  Wolf!  da  water  come  in  you'  eye  wun  you 
is  bin  honkry.  Me  y-eye  done  bin-a  come  wat'ry  so  long 
tarn  befo'  I  bin  talky  wit'  you  'bout  we  granmammy.' 

"  B'er  Wolf,  'e  der  keep  on  cryin' ;  'e  wipe  'e  y-eye 
'pon  'e  coat-sleef.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  bin  say : 

'"  Ef  you  is  bin  tek  it  so  ha'd  lak  dis,  B'er  Wolf,  'e 
bery  good  fer  kill-a  you  granmammy  fus,  so  you  is  kin 
come  glad  ag'in.' 

"  B'er  Wolf,  'e  go  dry  'e  y-eye  un  kill  'e  granmammy, 
un  dey  is  bin  tek  'im  granmammy  off  un  sell  um  fer  bit- 
tie.  Dun  dey  is  bin  eat  dis  bittle  day  un  night  tell  'e  all 
done  gone.  Wun-a  tarn  come  fer  B'er  Rabbit  fer  kill  'e 
granmammy,  B'er  Wolf,  'e  go  bisitin  'im.  'E  say  : 

"B'er  Rabbit,  I  is  bin-a  feel  honkry  troo  un  troo. 
Less  we  kill-a  you'  granmammy.' 

"  B'er  Rabbit  lif '  up  'e  head  high ;  'e  lahff.  E'  shekky 
one  year,  'e  shed-a  one  eye.  'E  say : 

' '  Eh-eh,  B'er  Wolf,  you  tink  I  gwan  kill-a  me  gran- 
mammy ?  Oh,  no,  B'er  Wolf!  Me  no  kin  do  dat.' 

"  Dis  mek  B'er  Wolf  wuss  mad  den  'e  is  bin  befo'.  'E 
fair  teer  de  yet'  wit'  'e  claw  ;  'e  yowl  sem  lak  Injun  mans. 
'E  say  'e  gwan  make  B'er  Rabbit  kill  'e  granmammy  no- 
how. 


244  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"B'er  Rabbit  say  'e  gwan  see  'im  'bout  dis.  'E  tek  'e 
granmammy  by  da  han' ;  'e  lead  um  way  off  in  da  woods  ; 
'e  hide  um  in  da  top  one  big  cocoanut  tree ;  'e  tell  um  fer 
stay  deer." 

The  mention  of  a  cocoanut  tree  caused  the  little  boy  to 
glance  incredulously  at  Uncle  Remus,  who  made  prompt 
and  characteristic  reply : 

"Dat's  it,  honey;  dat's  it,  sho.  In  dem  days  en  in 
dem  countries  dey  wuz  plenty  er  cocoanut  trees.  Less 
we  all  set  back  yer  en  give  Brer  Jack  a  livin'  chance." 

"  'E  hide  'e  granmammy  in  top  cocoanut  tree,"  con- 
tinued Daddy  Jack,  "  un  'e  gi'  um  lilly  bah  skit  wit'  cord 
tie  on  um.  In  de  day-mawnin',  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is  bin  go 
at  da  foot  da  tree.  'E  make  'e  v'ice  fine  ;  'e  holler  : 

' c  Granny  !  —  Granny  I  —  O  Granny  !  Jutta  cord- 
ial* 

"  Wun  'e  granny  yeddy  dis,  'e  let  bahskit  down  wit'  da 
cord,  un  B'er  Rabbit  'e  fill  um  wit'  bittle  un  somet'ing 
t'eat.  Ebry  day  dey  is  bin-a  do  dis  ting  ;  ebry  day  B'er 
Rabbit  is  come  fer  feed  'e  granny. 

"  B'er  Wolf  'e  watch,  'e  lissun ;  'e  sneak  up,  'e  creep 
up,  'e  do  lissun.  Bumbye,  'e  do  yeddy  B'er  Rabbit  call ; 
'e  see  da  bahskit  swing  down,  'e  see  um  go  back.  Wun 
B'er  Rabbit  bin-a  go  way  fum  dey-dey,  B'er  Wolf,  'e  come 
by  da  root  da  tree.  'E  holler  ;  'e  do  say  : 

" Granny  I —  Granny  I  —  0  Granny  I  Shoot-a 
cord-la  I ' 

"Da  ole  Granny  Rabbit  lissun;  'e  bin  lissun  well.  'E 
say  : 


"CUTTA   CORD-LA!"  245 

r  ?  Ki !  how  come  dis  ?  Me  son  is  no  talky  lak  dis. 
'E  no  shoot-a  da  cord  lak  dat.' 

"  Wen  B'er  Babbit  cum  back  da  granny  is  b'in-a  tell 
um  'bout  someting  come-a  holler  shoot-a  da  cord-la,  un 
B'er  Rabbit,  'e  lahff  tell  'e  is  kin  lahff  no  mo'.  B'er 
Wolf,  'e  hidin'  close  ;  'e  yed  B'er  Rabbit  crackin'  'e  joke  ; 
'e  is  git  bery  mad. 

"  Wun  B'er  Rabbit  is  gone  way,  Brer  Wolf  bin-a  come 
back.  'E  stan'  by  da  tree  root ;  'e  holler  : 

!t  '  Granny  1  —  Granny  I  —  O  Granny  I  Jutta  cord- 
la!' 

"  Granny  Rabbit  hoi'  'e  head  'pon  one  side  ;  'e  lissun 
good.  'E  say : 

"I  bery  sorry,  me  son,  you  bin  hab  so  bad  col'.  You' 
v'ice  bin-a  soun'  rough,  me  son.' 

"  Dun  Granny  Rabbit  is  bin  peep  down ;  'e  bin  say  : 

"  '  Hi !  B'er  W^olf  \  Go  way  fum  dey-dey .  You  no  is 
bin  fool-a  me  lak  dis.  Go  way,  B'er  Wolf! ' 

"  B'er  Wolf,  'e  come  bery  mad ;  'e  grin  tell  'e  tush  bin 
shiiin.  'E  go  in  da  swamp  ;  'e  scratch  'e  head  ;  'e  t'ink. 
Bumbye,  'e  go  bisitin'  one  Blacksmit',  un  'e  ahx  'im  how 
kin  'e  do  fer  make  'e  v'ice  come  fine  lak  B'er  Rabbit  v'ice. 
Da  Blacksmit',  'e  say  : 

"'Come,  B'er  Wolf;  I  run  dis  red-hot  poker  in  you' 
t'roat,  'e  mekky  you  talk  easy.' 

"  B'er  Wolf  say,  'Well,  I  lak  you  for  mekky  me  v'ice 
fine.' 

"  Dun  da  Blacksmit'  run  da  red-hot  poker  in  B'er  Wolf 
t'roat,'  un  'e  hu't  um  so  bad,  'tiss-a  bin  long  tarn'  befo'  B'er 


246  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Wolf  kin  tekky  da  long  walk  by  da  cocoanut  tree.  Bum- 
bye  'e  git  so  'e  kin  come  by,  un  wun  'e  git  dey-dey,  'e 
holler : 

"  Granny! — Granny  I — 0  Granny  I  Jutta  cord-la!9 

"  Da  v'ice  spun'  so  nice  un  fine  da'  Granny  Rabbit  is 
bin  t'ink  'e  B'er  Rabbit  v'ice,  un  'e  is  bin-a  let  da  bahskit 
down.  B'er  Wolf,  'e  shekky  da  cord  lak  'e  is  put  some 
bittle  in  da  bahskit,  un  dun  'e  is  bin-a  git  in  'ese'f.  B'er 
Wolf,  'e  keep  still.  Da  Granny  Rabbit  pull  on  da  cord ; 
'e  do  say  : 

? '  Ki !  'e  come  he'ffy ;  'e  he'ffy  fer  true.  Me  son,  'e 
love  'e  Granny  heap.' 

"  B'er  Wolf,  'e  do  grin  ;  'e  grin,  un  'e  keep  still.  Da 
Granny  Rabbit  pull ;  'e  do  pull  ha'd.  'E  pull  tell  'e  is  git 
B'er  Wolf  mos'  by  da  top,  un  dun  'e  stop  fer  res'.  B'er 
Wolf  look-a  down,  'e  head  swim;  'e  look  up,  'e  mout' 
water ;  'e  look-a  down  'g'in,  'e  see  B'er  Rabbit.  'E  git 
skeer,  'e  juk  on  da  rope.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  do  holler  : 

:?  ( Granny  !  —  Granny  !  —  0  Granny  !  Cutta  cord- 
la!' 

"  Da  Granny  Rabbit  cut  da  cord,  un  B'er  Wolf  is  fall 
down  un  broke  'e  neck." 


AUNT    TEMPY'S   STORY.  247 


XLI. 
AUNT    TEMPY'S    STORY. 

THE  little  boy  observed  that  Aunt  Tempy  was  very 
much  interested  in  Daddy  Jack's  story.  She  made  no  re- 
marks while  the  old  African  was  telling  it,  but  she  was 
busily  engaged  in  measuring  imaginary  quilt  patterns  on 
her  apron  with  her  thumb  and  forefinger,  —  a  sure  sign  that 
her  interest  had  been  aroused.  When  Daddy  Jack  had 
concluded  —  when,  with  a  swift,  sweeping  gesture  of  his 
wrinkled  hand,  he  cut  the  cord  and  allowed  Brother  Wolf 
to  perish  ignominiously — Aunt  Tempy  drew  a  long  breath, 
and  said  : 

' '  Dat  ar  tale  come  'cross  me  des  like  a  dream.  Hit  put 
me  in  mine  er  one  w'at  I  year  w'en  I  wuz  little  bit  er  gal. 
Look  like  I  kin  see  myse'f  right  now,  settin'  flat  down  on 
de  h'ath  lis'nin'  at  ole  link  Monk.  You  know'd  ole  Unk 
Monk,  Brer  Remus.  You  bleeze  ter  know'd  'im.  Up 
dar  in  Ferginny.  I  'clar'  ter  goodness,  it  make  me  feel 
right  foolish.  Brer  Remus,  I  des  know  you  know'd  Unk 
Monk." 

For  the  first  time  in  many  a  day  the  little  boy  saw 
Uncle  Remus  in  a  serious  mood.  He  leaned  forward  in 
his  chair,  shook  his  head  sadly,  as  he  gazed  into  the  fire. 

"Ah,  Lord,   Sis  Tempy!"  he  exclaimed  sorrowfully, 


248  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"don't  less  we  all  go  foolin'  roun'  mungs  dem  ole  times. 
De  bes'  kinder  bread  gits  sour.  Wat's  yistiddy  wid  us 
wuz  'fo'  de  worl'  begun  wid  dish  yer  chile.  Dat's  de  way 
I  looks  at  it." 

"  Dat's  de  Lord's  trufe,  Brer  Remus,"  exclaimed  Aunt 
Tempy  with  unction,  "  un  I  mighty  glad  you  call  me  ter 
myse'f.  Little  mo'  un  I'd  er  sot  right  yer  un  'a'  gone 
'way  back  to  Ferginny,  un  all  on  'count  er  dat  ar  tale  w'at 
I  year  long  time  ago." 

"  What  tale  was  that,  Aunt  Tempy  ?  "  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"  Eh-eh,  honey ! "  replied  Aunt  Tempy,  with  a  dis- 
play of  genuine  bashfulness  ;  "  eh-eh,  honey  !  I  'fraid  you 
all  '11  set  up  dar  un  laugh  me  outer  de  house.  I  aint 
dast  ter  tell  no  tale  'long  side  er  Brer  Remus  un  Daddy 
Jack  yer.  I  'fraid  I  git  it  all  mix  up." 

The  child  manifested  such  genuine  disappointment  that 
Aunt  Tempy  relented  a  little. 

"  Ef  you  all  laugh,  now,"  she  said,  with  a  threatening 
air,  "  I'm  des  gwine  ter  pick  up  en  git  right  out  er  dish 
yer  place.  Dey  aint  ter  be  no  laughin',  kaze  de  tale  w'at 
I  year  in  Ferginny  aint  no  laughin'  tale." 

With  this  understanding  Aunt  Tempy  adjusted  her 
head-handkerchief,  looked  around  rather  sheepishly,  as 
Uncle  Remus  declared  afterwards  in  confidence  to  the 
little  boy,  and  began  : 

"  Well,  den,  in  de  times  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  un  Brer  Fox 
live  in  de  same  settlement  wid  one  er  n'er,  de  season's 
tuck'n  come  wrong.  De  wedder  got  hot  un  den  a  long 


AUNT  TEMPY'S    STORY.  249 

dry  drouth  sot  in,  un  it  seem  like  dat  de  natal  leaf  on  de 
trees  wuz  gwine  ter  tu'n  ter  powder." 

Aunt  Tempy  emphasized  her  statements  by  little  back- 
ward and  forward  movements  of  her  head,  and  the  little 
boy  would  have  laughed,  but  a  warning  glance  from 
Uncle  Eemus  prevented  him. 

"  De  leaf  on  de  trees  look  like  dey  gwine  ter  tu'n  ter 
powder,  un  de  groun'  look  like  it  done  bin  cookt.  All  de 
truck  w'at  de  creeturs  plant  wuz  all  parched  up,  un  dey 
wa'n't  no  crops  made  nowhars.  Dey  dunner  w'at  ter  do. 
Dey  run  dis  away,  dey  run  dat  away ;  yit  w'en  dey  quit 
runnin'  dey  dunner  whar  dey  bread  comin'  frun.  Dis  de 
way  it  look  ter  Brer  Fox,  un  so  one  day  w'en  he  got  a 
mighty  hankerin'  atter  sumpin'  sorter  joosy,  he  meet  Brer 
Rabbit  in  de  lane,  un  he  ax  um,  sezee : 

"Brer  Rabbit,  whar'bouts  our  bread  comin'  frun?' 
"Brer  Rabbit,  he  bow,  he  did,  un  answer,  sezee  : 
"Look  like  it  mought  be  comin'  frun  nowhar,'  sezee." 
"You  see  dat,  honey!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  con- 
descending to  give  the  story  the  benefit  of  his  patronage  ; 
"  You  see  dat !  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  allus  a-waitin'  a  chance 
fer  ter  crack  he  jokes." 

"  Yas,  Lord  !  "  Aunt  Tempy  continued,  with  consider- 
able more  animation ;  "he  joke,  un  joke,  but  bimeby,  he 
aint  feel  like  no  mo'  jokin',  un  den  he  up'n  say,  sezee,  dat 
him  un  Brer  Fox  better  start  out'n  take  der  fammerlies  wid 
um  ter  town  un  swap  um  off  for  some  fresh-groun'  meal ; 
un  Brer  Fox  say,  sezee,  dat  dat  look  mighty  fa'r  and 
squar',  un  den  dey  tuck'n  make  dey  'greements. 


250  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    EEMUS. 

"  Brer  Fox  wuz  ter  s'ply  de  waggin  un  team,  un  he 
promise  dat  he  gwine  ter  ketch  he  fammerly  un  tie  um 
hard  un  fast  wid  a  red  twine  string.  Brer  Rabbit  he  say, 
sezee,  dat  he  gwine  ter  ketch  he  fammerly  un  tie  um  all, 
un  meet  Brer  Fox  at  de  fork  er  de  road. 

"  Sho'  nuff,  soon  in  de  mawnin',  w'en  Brer  Fox  draw 
up  wid  he  waggin,  he  holler  '  Wo  ! '  un  Brer  Rabbit  he 
tuck'n  holler  back,  '  Wo  yo'se'f ! '  un  den  Brer  Fox  know 
dey  'uz  all  dar.  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  sot  up  on  de  seat, 
un  all  er  he  fammerly,  dey  wuz  a-layin'  under  de  seat. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  put  all  he  fammerly  in  de  behime 
een'  er  de  waggin'  un  he  say,  sezee,  dat  he  speck  he  better 
set  back  dar  twel  dey  git  sorter  usen  ter  dey  surrounder- 
lings,  un  den  Brer  Fox  crack  he  whip,  un  off  dey  wen 
toze  town.  Brer  Fox,  he  holler  ev'y  once  in  a  w'ile, 
sezee : 

" '  No  noddin'  back  dar,  Brer  Rabbit  I ' 

"Brer  Rabbit  he  holler  back,  sezee  : 

' '  Brer  Fox,  you  miss  de  ruts  en  de  rocks,  un  I'll  miss 
de  noddin'.' 

"But  all  dat  time,  bless  yo'  soul !  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  set- 
tin  dar  ontyin'  he  ole  'oman  un  he  childun,  w'ich  dey  wuz 
sev'm  uv  um.  W'en  he  git  um  all  ontie,  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
tuck'n  h'ist  hisse'f  on  de  seat  'long  er  Brer  Fox,  un  dey 
sot  dar  un  talk  un  laugh  'bout  de  all-sorts  er  times  dey 
gwine  ter  have  w'en  dey  git  de  co'n  meal.  Brer  Fox  sez, 
sezee,  he  gwine  ter  bake  hoecake  ;  Brer  Rabbit  sez,  sezee, 
lie  gwine  ter  make  ashcake. 

"  Des  'bout  dis  time  one  er  Brer  Rabbit's  childun  raise 


AUNT    TEMPY'S    STOKY.  251 

hisse'f  up  easy  un  hop  out  de  waggin.     Miss   Fox,   she 


sing  out : 

"  '  One  f run  sev'm 
Don't  leave  'Icv'm.' 

"  Brer  Fox  hunch  he  ole  'oman  wid  he  foot  fer  ter  make 
'er  keep  still.  Birneby  Ver  little  Rabbit  pop  up  un  hop 
out.  Miss  Fox  say,  se'  she  : 

"  '  One  f  run  six 
Leaves  me  less  kicks.' 

"  Brer  Fox  go  on  talkin'  ter  Brer  Rabbit,  un  Brer  Rab- 
bit go  on  talkin'  ter  Brer  Fox,  un  'twa'n't  so  mighty  long 
'fo'  all  Brer  Rabbit  fammerly  done  pop  up  un  dive  out  de 
waggin,  un  ev'y  time  one  'ud  go  Miss  Fox  she  'ud  fit  it 
like  she  did  de  yuthers." 

"  What  did  she  say,  Aunt  Tempy  ? "  asked  the  little 
boy,  who  was  interested  in  the  rhymes. 

w  Des  lemme  see  — 

"  '  One  frun  five 
Leaves  four  alive  ; 

"  *  One  frun  four 

Leaves  th'ee  un  no  mo' ; 

"  *  One  frun  th'ee 
Leaves  two  ter  go  free  ; 

"  '  One  frun  one, 
Un  all  done  gone.'  " 

"What  did  Brother  Rabbit  do  then?"  inquired  the  little 
boy. 


252  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Better  ax  w'at  Brer  Fox  do,"  replied  Aunt  Tempy, 
pleased  with  the  effect  of  her  rhymes.  "  Brer  Fox  look 
'roun'  atter  w'ile  un  w'en  he  see  dat  all  Brer  Rabbit  fam- 
merly  done  gone,  he  lean  back  un  holler  '  Wo  ! '  un  den  he 
say,  sezee : 

!"In  de  name  er  goodness,  Brer  Rabbit !  whar  all  yo' 
folks?' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  look  'roun',  un  den  he  make  like  he  cry- 
in'.  He  des  fa'rly  boo-hoo'd,  un  he  say,  sezee : 

* '  Dar  now,  Brer  Fox  !  I  des  know'd  dat  ef  I  put  my 
po'  little  childuns  in  dar  wid  yo'  folks  dey'd  git  e't  up.  I 
des  know'd  it ! ' 

"Ole  Miss  Fox,  she  des  vow  she  aint  totch  Brer  Rabbit 
fammerly.  But  Brer  Fox,  he  bin  wantin'  a  piece  un  um 
all  de  way,  un  he  begrudge  um  so  dat  he  git  mighty  mad 
wid  he  ole  'oman  un  de  childuns,  un  he  say,  sezee  : 

'  You  kin  des  make  de  most  er  dat,  kaze  I'm  a  gwine 
ter  bid  you  good  riddance  dis  ve'y  day  ; '  un,  sho'  'miff, 
Brer  Fox  tuck'n  tuck  he  whole  fammerly  ter  town  un 
trade  um  off  fer  co'n. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  wid  'em,  des  ez  big  ez  life  un  twice 
ez  natchul.  Dey  start  back,  dey  did,  un  w'en  dey  git 
four  er  five  mile  out  er  town,  hit  come  'cross  Brer  Fox 
min'  dat  he  done  come  away  un  lef '  a  plug  er  terbacker  in 
de  sto',  en  he  say  he  bleeze  ter  go  back  atter  it. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  say,  sezee,  dat  he'll  stay  en  take  keer 
er  de  waggin,  w'ile  Brer  Fox  kin  run  back  un  git  he  ter- 
backer. Soon  ez  Brer  Fox  git  out  er  sight,  Brer  Rabbit 
laid  de  hosses  under  line  un  lash  un  drove  de  waggin 


AUNT    TEMPY'S    STORY.  253 

home,  un  put  de  bosses  in  he  own  stable,  un  de  co'n  in  de 
smoke-house,  un  de  waggin  in  de  barn,  un  den  he  put 
some  co'n  in  he  pocket,  un  cut  de  bosses  tails  off,  un 
went  back  up  de  road  twel  he  come  ter  a  quog-mire,  un 
in  dat  he  stick  de  tails  un  wait  fer  Brer  Fox. 

"  Atter  w'ile  yer  he  come,  un  den  Brer  Rabbit  gun  ter 
holler  un  pull  at  de  tails.  He  say,  sezee  : 

'  '  Run  yer,  Brer  Fox !  run  yer !  Youer  des  in 
time  ef  you  aint  too  late.  Run  yer,  Brer  Fox  !  run 
yer!' 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  run'd  en  juk  Brer  Rabbit  away,  un  say, 
sezee : 

"  '  Git  out  de  way,  Brer  Rabbit !  You  too  little  !  Git 
out  de  way,  un  l^t  a  man  ketch  holt.' 

"  Brer  Fox  tuck  holt,"  continued  Aunt  Tempy,  endeav- 
oring to  keep  from  laughing,  "  un  he  fetch'd  one  big  pull, 
un  I  let  you  know  dat  uz  de  onliest  pull  he  make,  kaze  de 
tails  come  out  un  he  tu'n  a  back  summerset.  He  jump 
up,  he  did,  en  'gun  ter  grabble  in  de  quog-mire  des  ez 
hard  ez  he  kin. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  stan'  by,  un  drop  some  co'n  in  on- 
beknowns'  ter  Brer  Fox,  un  dis  make  'im  grabble  wuss  un 
wuss,  un  he  grabble  so  hard  un  he  grabble  so  long  dat 
'twa'n't  long  'fo'  he  fall  down  dead,  un  so  dat  uz  de  las'  er 
ole  Brer  Fox  in  dat  day  un  time." 

As  Aunt  Tempy  paused,  Uncle  Remus  adjusted  his 
spectacles  and  looked  at  her  admiringly.  Then  he  laughed 
heartily. 

"I  declar',  Sis  Tempy,"  he  said,  after  a  while,  "  you  gives 


254  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

tongue  same  ez  a  lawyer.  You'll  hatter  jine  in  wid  us 
some  mo'." 

Aunt  Tempy  closed  her  eyes  and  dropped  her  head  on 
one  side. 

"Don't  git  me  started,  Brer  Remus,"  she  said,  after  a 
pause  ;  "kaze  ef  you  does  you'll  hatter  set  up  yer  long  pas' 
yo'  bed-time." 

"  I  b'leeve  you,  Sis  Tempy,  dat  I  does  ! "  exclaimed  the 
old  man,  with  the  air  of  one  who  has  made  a  pleasing  dis- 
covery. 


XLII. 

THE  FIRE-TEST. 

"WE  er  sorter  bin  a  waitin'  fer  Sis  Tempy,"  Uncle 
Remus  remarked  when  the  little  boy  made  his  appearance 
the  next  night ;  "  but  somehow  er  n'er  look  lak  she  fear'd 
she  hatter  up  en  tell  some  mo'  tales.  En  yit  maybe  she 
bin  strucken  down  wid  some  kinder  ailment.  Dey  aint 
no  countin'  on  deze  yer  fat  folks.  Dey  er  up  one  minnit 
en  down  de  nex' ;  en  w'at  make  it  dat  away  I  be  bless  ef 
I  know,  kaze  w'en  folks  is  big  en  fat  look  lak  dey  oughter 
be  weller  dan  deze  yer  long  hongry  kinder  folks. 

"Yit  all  de  same,  Brer  Jack  done  come,"  continued 


THE    FIRE-TEST.  255 

Uncle  Remus,  "en  we  ull  des  slam  de  do'  shet,  en  ef  Sis 
Tempy  come  she'll  des  hatter  hoP  'er  han's  'fo'  'er  face  en 
holler  out :  — 

"  *  Lucky  de  Linktum,  chucky  de  chin, 
Open  de  d<?  en  let  me  in ! ' 

"  Oh,  you  kin  laugh  ef  you  wanter,  but  I  boun'  you  ef 
Sis  Tempy  wuz  ter  come  dar  en  say  de  wuds  w'at  I  say, 
de  button  on  dat  ar  do'  'ud  des  natally  twis'  hitse'f  off  but 
w'at  'twould  let  'er  in.  Now,  I  boun'  you  dat ! " 

Whatever  doubts  the  child  may  have  had  he  kept  to 
himself,  for  experience  had  taught  him  that  it  was  useless 
to  irritate  the  old  man  by  disputing  with  him.  What 
effect  the  child's  silence  may  have  had  in  this  instance  it 
is  impossible  to  say,  for  just  then  Aunt  Tempy  came  in 
laughing. 

"You  all  kin  des  say  w'at  you  please,"  she  exclaimed, 
as  she  took  her  seat,  "  but  dat  ar  Sliucky  Cordy  in  de  tale 
w'at  Daddy  Jack  done  tole,  bin  runnin'  'roun'  in  my  min' 
en  zoonin'  in  my  years  all  de  time." 

"Yer  too!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  with  emphasis. 
"Dat's  me  up  en  down.  Look  lak  dat  ar  cricket  over 
dar  in  de  cornder  done  tuck  it  up,  en  now  he  gwine, 
'  ShucTcy-cordy  I  Shuclcy-cordy  ! ' : 

"  Shuh-shuh  ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  with  vehement 
contempt,  "'e  jutta  cord-la!  'E  no  ' shucky-cordy '  no'n 
'tall." 

"Well,  well,  Brer  Jack,"  said  Uncle  R-emus,  soothingly, 
"in  deze  low  groun's  er  sorrer,  you  des  got  ter  lean  back 


256  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

en  make  'lowances  fer  all  sorts  er  folks.  You  got  ter  'low 
fer  dem  dat  knows  too  much  same  ez  dem  w'at  knows  too 
little.  A  heap  er  sayin's  en  a  heap  er  doin's  in  dis  roun' 
worl'  got  ter  be  tuck  on  trus'.  You  got  yo'  sayin's,  I  got 
mine  ;  you  got  yo'  knowin's,  en  I  got  mine.  Man  come 
long  en  ax  me  how  does  de  wum  git  in  de  scaly-bark.1  I 
tell  'im  right  up  en  down,  I  dunno,  sir.  N'er  man  come 
'long  en  ax  me  who  raise  de  row  'twix'  de  buzzud  en  de 
bee-martin.2  I  tell  'im  I  dunno,  sir.  Yit,  kaze  I  dunno," 
continued  Uncle  Remus,  "dat  don't  hender  um.  Dar  dey 
is,  spite  er  dat, — wum  in  de  scaly-bark,  bee-martin  atter 
de  buzzud." 

"Dat's  so,"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy,  "dat's  de  Lord's 
trufe!" 

"Dat  ar  pullin'  at  de  string,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on, 
"en  dat  ar  hollerin'  'bout  shucky-cordy "  — 

"Jutta  cord-la!"  said  Daddy  Jack,  fiercely. 

"'Bout  de  watsizname,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  a 
lenient  and  forgiving  smile, — "all  dish  yer  hollerin' en 
gwine  on  'bout  de  watsizname  put  me  in  min'  er  one  time 
w'en  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  gwine  off  fum  home  fer  ter  git  a 
mess  er  green  truck. 

"Wen  Brer  Rabbit  git  ready  fer  ter  go,  he  call  all  he 
chilluns  up,  en  he  tell  um  dat  w'en  he  go  out  dey  mus' 
fas'n  de  do'  on  de  inside,  en  dey  mus'n  tu'n  nobody  in, 
nohow,  kaze  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf  bin  lay  in'  'roun' 

1  A  species  of  hickory-nut.    The  tree  sheds  its  bark  every  year,  hence  the 
name,  which  is  applied  to  both  tree  and  fruit. 

2  The  king-bird. 


THE    FIRE-TEST.  257 

waitin'  chance  fer  ter  nab  um.     En  he  tuck'n  tole  um  dat 
w'en  he  come  back,  he'd  rap  at  de  do'  en  sing : 

"  '  m  stay  w'en  you  away, 
Kaze  no  goV  will  pay  toll !  ' 

"De  little  Rabs,  dey  hilt  up  der  ban's  en  promise  dat 
dey  won't  open  de  do'  fer  nobody  'ceppin  dey  daddy,  en 
wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck'n  put  out,  he  did,  at  a  han'- 
gallop,  huntin'  sump'n  n'er  ter  eat.  But  all  dis  time, 
Brer  Wolf  bin  hidin'  out  behime  de  house,  en  he  year 
eve'y  wud  dat  pass,  en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  want  mo'n  out'n 
sight  'fo'  Brer  Wolf  went  ter  de  do',  en  he  knock,  he  did, 
—  blip,  blip,  blip! 

"Little  Rab  holler  out,  'Who  dat?' 

Brer  Wolf  he  sing  : 

"  '  Til  stay  w'en  you  away, 
Kaze  no  goV  will  pay  toll ! ' 

"  De  little  Rabs  dey  laugh  fit  ter  kill  deyse'f,  en  dey 
up'n  'low : 

:?rGo  'way,  Mr.  Wolf,  go  'way!  You  aint  none  er 
we-all  daddy ! ' 

"  Ole  Brer  Wolf  he  slunk  off,  he  did,  but  eve'y  time 
he  thunk  er  dem  plump  little  Rabs,  he  des  git  mo'  hongry 
dan  befo',  en  'twant  long  To'  he  'uz  back  at  de  do' —  blap, 
blap,  blap  I 

"  Little  Rab  holler  :    '  Who  dat  ? ' 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  up'n  sing  : 


258  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  '  I'll  stay  w'en  you  away, 
Kaze  no  goll  will  pay  toll  I ' 

"  De  little  Rabs  dey  laugh  en  roll  on  de  flo',  en  dey 
up'n  'low  : 

" <  Go  'way,  Mr.  Wolf !  We-all  daddy  aint  got  no  bad 
col'  lak  dat.' 

"Brer  Wolf  slunk  off,  but  bimeby  he  come  back,  en 
dis  time  he  try  mighty  hard  fer  ter  talk  fine.  He  knock 
at  de  do'  —  blam,  blam,  blaml 

«  Little  Rab  holler  :   <  Who  dat  ? ' 

"  Brer  Wolf  tu'n  loose  en  sing  : 

"  '  I'll  stay  w'en  you  away, 
Kaze  no  goV  will  pay  toll ! ' 

"Little  Rab  holler  back,  he  did  : 

"f  Go  'way,  Mr.  Wolf!  go  'way!  We-all  daddy  kin 
sing  lot's  puttier  dan  dat.  Go  'way,  Mr.  Wolf!  go 
'way ! ' 

"  Brer  Wolf  he  slunk  off,  he  did,  en  he  go  'way  out  in 
de  woods,  en  he  sing,  en  sing,  twel  he  kin  sing  fine  ez 
de  nex'  man.  Den  he  go  back  en  knock  at  de  do',  en 
we'n  de  little  Rabs  ax  who  dat,  he  sing  dem  de  song ;  en 
he  sing  so  nice,  en  he  sing  so  fine,  dat  dey  ondo  de  do', 
en  ole  Brer  Wolf  walk  in  en  gobble  um  all  up,  fum  de 
fus'  ter  de  las'. 

"  W'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  git  back  home,  he  fine  de  do' 
stannin'  wide  open  en  all  de  chilluns  gone.  Dey  want  no 
sign  er  no  tussle  ;  de  h'ath'uz  all  swep'  clean,  en  eve'y thing 


THE    FIRE-TEST.  259 

wuz  all  ter  rights,  but  right  over  in  de  cornder  he  see  a  pile 
er  bones,  en  den  he  know  in  reason  dat  some  er  de  yuther 
creeturs  done  bin  dar  en  make  hash  outen  he  chilluns. 

"  Den  he  go  'roun'  en  ax  um  'bout  it,  but  dey  all  'ny  it ; 
dey  all  'ny  it  ter  de  las',  en  Brer  Wolf,  he  'ny  it  wuss'n  all 
un  um.  Den  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  lay  de  case  'fo'  Brer 
Tarrypin.  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  wuz  a  mighty  man  in  dein 
days,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  with  something  like  a 
sigh,  — "a  mighty  man,  en  no  sooner  is  he  year  de  state 
er  de  condition  dan  he  up'n  call  all  de  creeturs  tergedder. 
He  call  um  tergedder,  he  did,  en  den  he  up'n  tell  um  'bout 
how  somebody  done  tuck'n  'stroy  all  er  Brer  Rabbit  chil- 
lun,  en  he  low  dat  de  man  w'at  do  dat  bleedz  ter  be  kotch, 
kaze  ef  he  aint,  dey  aint  no  tellin'  how  long  it'll  be  'fo'  de 
same  somebody  '11  come  'long  en  'stroy  all  de  chillun  in  de 
settlement. 

"Brer  B'ar,  he  up'n  ax  how  dey  gwine  fine  'im,  en  Brer 
Tarrypin  say  dey  er  allers  a  way.  Den  he  'low : 

' ?  Less  dig  a  deep  pit.' 

"Til  dig  de  pit,'  sez  Brer  Wolf,  sezee. 

"  Atter  de  pit  done  dug,  Brer  Tarrypin  say : 
' '  Less  fill  de  pit  full  er  lighter ?d  knots  en  bresh.' 

"  Til  fill  de  pit,'  sez  Brer  Wolf,  sezee. 

"Atter  de  pit  done  fill  up,  Brer  Tarrypin  say : 

:"Now,  den,  less  set  it  a-fier.' 

"Til  kindle  de  fier,'  sez  Brer  Wolf,  sezee. 

"  W'en  de  fier  'gun  ter  blaze  up,  Brer  Tarrypin  'low 
dat  de  creeturs  mus'  jump  'cross  dat,  en  de  man  w'at 
'stroy  Brer  Rabbit  chilluns  will  drap  in  en  git  bu'nt  up. 


260  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Brer  Wolf  bin  so  uppity  'bout  digging  en  fillin',  en  kind- 
lin',  dat  dey  all  'spected  'im  fer  ter  make  de  fus'  trial ;  but, 
bless  yo'  soul  en  body  !  Brer  Wolf  look  lak  he  got  some 
yuther  business  fer  ter  ten'  ter. 

"De  pit  look  so  deep,  en  de  fier  bu'n  so  high,  dat  dey 
mos'  all  'fear'd  fer  ter  make  de  trial,  but  atter  w'ile,  Brer 
Mink  'low  dat  he  aint  hunted  none  er  Brer  Rabbit  chilluns, 
en  wid  dat,  he  tuck  runnin'  start,  en  lipt  across.  Den 
Brer  Coon  say  he  aint  hunted  um,  en  over  he  sailed. 
Brer  B'ar  say  he  feel  mo'  heavy  dan  he  ever  is  befo'  in  all 
he  born  days,  but  he  aint  hurted  none  er  Brer  Rabbit  po' 
little  chilluns,  en  wid  dat  away  he  went  'cross  de  fier. 
Dey  all  jump,  twel  bimeby  hit  come  Brer  Wolf  time. 
Den  he  'gun  ter  git  skeered,  en  he  mighty  sorry  kase  he 
dig  dat  pit  so  deep  en  wide,  en  kindle  dat  fier  so  high. 
He  tuck  sech  a  long  runnin'  start,  dat  time  he  git  ter  de 
jumpin'  place,  he  uz  done  wo' teetotally  out,  en  he  lipt  up, 
he  did,  en  fetch'd  a  squall  en  drapt  right  spang  in  de 
middle  er  de  fier." 

"Uncle  Remus,"  said  the  little  boy,  after  a  while,  "did 
Brother  Terrapin  jump  over  the  fire  ?  " 

"  W'at  Brer  Tarrypin  gwine  jump  fer  ? "  responded 
Uncle  Remus,  "  w'en  eve'ybody  know  Tarrypins  aint  eat 
Rabbits." 

"Well,  you  know  you  said  everything  was  different 
then,"  said  the  child. 

"  Look  yer,  Brer  Jack,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  "  ef 
you  got  any  tale  on  yo'  mine,  des  let  'er  come.  Dish  yer 
youngster  gittin'  too  long-headed  fer  me  ;  dat  he  is."  * 

1  See  "  Uncle  Remus :  His  Songs  and  his  Sayings,"  p.  79. 


THE    CUNNING    SNAKE.  261 

XLIH. 

THE   CUNNING  SNAKE. 

DADDY  JACK,  thus  appealed  to,  turned  half  round  in 
his  seat,  winked  his  bright  little  eyes  very  rapidly,  and 
said,  with  great  animation : 

"  Hoo  !  me  bin  yeddy  one  sing-tale ;  me  yeddy  um  so 
long  tarn  'go.  One  tarn  dere  bin  one  ole  Affiky  ooman, 
'e  call  'im  name  Coomba.  'E  go  walky  troo  da  woots,  'e 
walky  troo  da  fieP.  Bumbye  'e  is  bin  come  'pon  one 
snake-nes'  fill  wit'  aig.  Snake  big  snake,  aig  big  aig. 
Affiky  oomans  is  bin  want-a  dem  aig  so  bahd  ;  'e  'fraid  fer 
tek  um.  'E  gone  home  ;  'e  is  see  dem  aig  in  'e  dream,  'e 
want  um  so  bahd.  Wun  da  nex'  day  mornin'  come,  da 
Affiky  oomans  say  'e  bleeze  fer  hab  dem  aig.  'E  go  way, 
'e  bin-a  see  da  snake  nes',  'e  is  git-a  da  aig ;  'e  fetch  um 
at  'e  own  house ;  'e  cook  um  fer  'e  brekwuss. 

"  Bumbye  da  snake  bin  a  come  by  'e  nes'.  Aig  done 
gone.'  E  pit  'e  nose  'pon  da  groun',  'e  is  track  da  Affiky 
oomans  by  'e  own  house.  Snake  come  by  da  Affiky 
oomans  house  ;  'e  ahx  'bout  'e  aig.  Affiky  oomans  say  'e 
no  hab  bin  see  no  aig.  Snake  see  da  skin  wut  bin  'pon 
'e  aig ;  'e  ahx  wut  is  dis.  Affiky  oomans  no  say  nuttin' 
'tall.  Snake  'e  say  : 

" '  Wey  fer  you  come  brek  up  me  nes'  un  tekky  me 
aig?' 


262  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Affiky  oomans  'e  no  say  nuttin'  'tall.  'E  toss  'e  head, 
'e  mek  lak  'e  no  yeddy  da  snake  v'ice,  'e  go  'bout  'e  wuk. 
Snake,  'e  say : 

1 '  Ooman !  you  is  bin  yed  me  v'ice  wun  me  cry  out. 
You  bin  tekky  me  aig ;  you  is  bin  'stray  me  chillun. 
Tek  keer  you'  own ;  tek  keer  you'  own.' 

"  Snake  gone  'way ;  'e  slick  out  'e  tongue,  'e  slide  'way. 
Bimbye  de  Affiky  oomans,  'e  hab  one  putty  lil  picka- 
ninny ;  'e  lub  um  ha'd  all  over.  'E  is  mine  wut  da  snake 
say ;  'e  tote  da  pickanniny  'roun'  'pon  'e  bahck.  'E  call 
um  Noncy,  'e  tote  um  fur,  'e  lub  um  ha'd. 

"  Snake,  'e  bin-a  stay  in  da  bush-side  ;  'e  watch  all  day, 
'e  wait  all  night ;  'e  git  honkry  fer  da  pickaninny,  'e  want 
um  so  bahd.  'E  bin  slick  out  'e  tongue,  'e  bin  slide  troo 
da  grass,  'e  bin  hanker  fer  da  pickaninny. 

"  Bimbye  da  Affiky  oomans  tote-a  da  Noncy  til  'e  git 
tire ;  'e  puff,  'e  blow,  'e  wuk  'e  gill  sem  lak  cat-fish." 

Aunt  Tempy  burst  into  loud  laughter  at  this  remark- 
able statement. 

"  Whoever  is  year  de  beat  er  dat ! "  she  exclaimed. 
"  Daddy  Jack  you  goes  on  owdashus  bout  de  wimmen, 
dat  you  does  !  " 

"  'E  puff,  'e  blow,  'e  pant ;  'e  say  : 
r '  Da  pickaninny,  'e  der  git-a  big  lak  one  bag  rice. 
'E  der  git-a  so  heffy,  me  yent  mos'  know  wut  fer  do. 
Me  yent  kin  tote  um  no  mo'.' 

"  Da  Affiky  oomans  is  bin-a  pit  da  pickaninny  down 
'pon  da  groun'.  'E  mek  up  one  sing1  in  'e  head,  un  "e 

1  "  'E  mek  up  one  sing."     She  composed  a  song  and  taught  the  child  the 
refrain. 


THE    CUNNING    SNAKE.  263 

larn  da  lilly  gal  fer  answer  da  sing.  'E  do  show  um  how 
fer  pull  out  da  peg  in  da  do'.  Snake,  'e  is  bin  lay  quile 
up  in  da  bush ;  'e  say  nuttin  'tall. 

"  Affiky  oomans  is  larn-a  da  pickaninny  fer  answer  da 
sing,  un  wun  he  sta't  fer  go  off,  'e  say : 

' '  Pit  da  peg  in  da  do'  un  you  no  y-open  um  fer 
nobody  'cep'  you  is  yeddy  me  sing.' 

"  Lil  gal,  'e  say  yassum,  un  da  Affiky  oomans  gone  off. 
Snake  stay  still.  'E  quile  up  in  'e  quile ;  'e  yent  moof l 
'e  tail.  Bumbye,  toze  night-time,  da  Affiky  oomans 
come  bahck  wey  'e  lif.  'E  stan'  by  da  do' ;  'e  talk  dis 
sing: 

"  {  Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy  ! ' 

"  'E  v'ice  'come  finer  toze  da  las'  tel  'e  do  git  loud  fer 
true.  Da  lilly  gal,  'e  do  mek  answer  lak  dis  : 

'  '  Andolee  !  Andoli  !   Andolo  ! ' 

"  'E  know  'e  mammy  v'ice,  en  'e  bin  pull  out  da  peg 
queek.  'E  run  to  'e  mammy ;  'e  mammy  der  hug  um  up. 
Nex'  day,  'e  da  sem  ting  ;  two,  t'ree,  sev'm  day,  'e  da  sem 
ting.  Affiky  oomans  holler  da  sing ;  da  lilly  gal  mek 
answer  'pon  turrer  side  da  do'.  Snake,  'e  lay  quile  up  in 
da  bush.  'E  watch  da  night,  'e  lissun  da  day  ;  'e  try  fer 
l'arn-a  da  sing ;  'e  no  say  nuttin'  'tall.  Bumbye,  one  tarn 

1  Move ;  he  aint  move  he  tail ;  he  hasn't  even  moved  his  tail. 


264  NIGHTS  WITH   UNCLE  KEMUS. 

wun  Affiky  oomans  bin  gone  'way,  snake,  'e  wait  til  'e 
mos'  tarn  fer  oomans  fer  come  bahck.  'E  gone  by  da  do' ; 
'e  y-open  'e  mout' ;  'e  say  : 

"  '  Wullo  wullo  widdo,  me  Noncy, 
Wullo  wullo  widdo,  me  Noncy, 
Wullo  wullo  widdo,  me  Noncy  !  ' 

"'E  try  fer  mekky  'e  v'ice  come  fine  lak  da  lil  gal 
mammy;  'e  der  hab  one  rough  place  in  'e  t'roat,  un  'e 
v'ice  come  big.  Lilly  gal  no  mek  answer.  'E  no  y-open 
da  do'.  'E  say  : 

: '  Go  way  fum  dey-dey !     Me  mammy  no  holler  da 
sing  lak  dat !  ' 

"  Snake,  'e  try  one,  two,  free  time ;  'e  yent  no  use. 
Lilly  gal  no  y-open  da  do',  'e  no  mek  answer.  Snake  'e 
slick  out  'e  tongue  un  slide  'way ;  'e  say  'e  mus'  l'arn-a  da 
sing  sho  miff. 

"Bumbye,  da  Affiky  oomans  come  bahck.  'E  holler 
da  sing : 

"  '  Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy  ! ' 

"  Lilly  gal  say  :  '  Da  me  mammy  ! '    'E  answer  da  sing  : 
"  '  Andolee  !  Andoli  !  Andolo ! ' 

"  Snake,  'e  quile  up  in  da  chimmerly-corner ;  'e  hoi'  'e 
bre't'  fer  lissun  ;  'e  der  l'arn-a  da  sing.  Nex'  day  mornin' 


THE    CUNNING    SNAKE.  265 

da  Affiky  oomans  bin-a  gone  'way  un  lef '  da  lilly  gal  all  by 
'ese'f.  All  de  da  long  da  snake  'e  tink  about  da  song ;  'e 
say  um  in  'e  min',  'e  say  um  forwud,  'e  say  um  baek- 
wud.  Bumbye,  mos'  toze  sundown,  'e  come  at  da  do' ; 
'e  come,  'e  holler  da  sing : 

"  '  Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy !  ' 

"  Da  lil  gal,  'e  tink-a  da  snake  bin  'e  mammy ;  'e  is  an- 
swer da  sing : 

"'Andolee!  Andolil  Andolo!' 


'E  mek  answer  lak  dat,  un  'e  y-open  da  do'  queek.  'E 
run  'pon  da  snake  'fo'  'e  is  shum.1  Snake,  'e  bin-a  hug 
da  lilly  gal  mo'  sem  dun  'e  mammy;  'e  is  twis'  'e  tail 
'roun'  um  ;  'e  is  ketch  um  in  'e  quile.  Lilly  gal  'e  holler, 
'e  squall ;  'e  squall,  'e  holler.  Nobody  bin-a  come  by  fer 
yeddyum.  Snake  'e  'quees'2  um  tight,  'e  no  1'em  go  ;  'e 
'quees'  um  tight,  'e  swaller  um  whole  ;  'e  bre'k-a  no  bone  ; 
'e  tekky  da  lilly  gal  lak  'e  stan'. 

"Bumbye  da  lil  mammy  come  home  at 'e  house.  'E 
holler  da  sing,  'e  git-a  no  answer.  'E  come  skeer' ;  'e 
v'ice  shek,  'e  body  trimple.  'E  lissun,  'e  no  ycddy  no  fuss. 
'E  push  de  do'  y-open,  'e  no  see  nuttin  'tall ;  da  lilly  gal 
gone  !  Da  ooman  'e  holler,  'e  cry  ;  'e  ahx  way  'e  lilly  gal 

1  Before  he  see  um. 

2  Squeeze. 


266  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE   REMUS. 

bin  gone  ;  'e  no  git  no  answer.  'E  look  all  'roun',  'e  see 
way  da  snake  bin-a  cross  da  road.  'E  holler  : 

r"Ow,  me  Lard!  da  snake  bin  come  swaller  me  lil 
Noncy  gal.  I  gwan  hunt  'im  up  ;  I  gwan  foller  da  snake 
pas'  da  een'  da  yet'.1 

"  'E  go  in  da  swamp,  'e  cut  'im  one  cane  ;  'e  come  bahck, 
'e  fine  da  snake  track,  un  'e  do  foller  'long  wey  'e  lead. 
Snake  'e  so  full  wit  de  lilly  gal  'e  no  walk  fas' ;  lil  gal 
mammy,  'e  bin  mad,  'e  go  stret  'long.  Snake  'e  so  full 
wit  da  lilly  gal,  'e  come  sleepy.  'E  lay  down,  'e  shed- 
a  'e  y-eye.  'E  y-open  um  no  mo',"  continued  Daddy  Jack, 
moving  his  head  slowly  from  side  to  side,  and  looking  as 
solemn  as  he  could.  "Da  ooman  come  'pon  de  snake 
wun  'e  bin  lay  dar  sleep ;  'e  come  'pon  'im,  un  'e  tekky 
da  cane  un  bre'k  'e  head,  'e  mash  um  flat.  'E  cut  da 
snake  open,  'e  fine  da  lilly  gal  sem  lak  'e  bin  sleep.  'E 
tek  um  home,  'e  wash  um  off.  Bumbye  da  lilly  gal 
y-open  'e  y-eye,  un  soon  'e  see  'e  mammy,  'e  answer  da 
sing.  'E  say : 

"  'Andolcc !  Andoli !  Andolo  ! '  " 

"  Well,  well,  well ! "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy,  sympa- 
thetically. "  Un  de  po'  little  creetur  wuz  'live  ?  " 

"  Enty  !  "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack.  No  reply  could  pos- 
sibly have  been  more  prompt,  more  emphatic,  or  more 
convincing. 

1  Earth.    Uncle  Remus  would  say  "  Yeth." 


HOW    BROTHER    FOX    WAS    TOO    SMART.          267 

XLIV. 
HOW  BROTHER  FOX   WAS   TOO  SMART. 

"UNCLE  REMUS,"  said  the  little  boy,  one  night  when 
he  found  the  old  man  alone,  "  I  don't  like  these  stories 
where  somebody  has  to  stand  at  the  door  and  sing,  do 
you?  They  don't  sound  funny  to  me." 

Uncle  Remus  crossed  his  legs,  took  off  his  spectacles 
and  laid  them  carefully  on  the  floor  under  his  chair,  and 
made  a  great  pretence  of  arguing  the  matter  with  the 
child.  . 

"  Now,  den,  honey,  w'ich  tale  is  it  w'at  you  aint  lak  de 
mos'?" 

The  little  boy  reflected  a  moment  and  then  replied : 

"  About  the  snake  swallowing  the  little  girl.  I  don't 
see  any  fun  in  that.  Papa  says  they  have  snakes  in  Africa 
as  big  around  as  his  body ;  and,  goodness  knows,  I  hope 
they  won't  get  after  me." 

"How  dey  gwine  git  atter  you,  honey,  w'en  you  settin' 
up  yer  'long  side  er  me  en  de  snakes  way  'cross  dar  in 
Affiky?" 

"Well,  Daddy  Jack,  he  came,  and  the  snakes  might 
come  too." 

Uncle  Remus  laughed,  more  to  reassure  the  child  than 
to  ridicule  his  argument. 

"Dem   ar   snakes    aint   no   water-moccasin,  not   ez  I 


268  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

knows  un.     Brer  Jack  bin  yer  mighty  long  time,  en  dey 
aint  no  snake  foller  atter  'im  yit." 

"  Now,  Uncle  Remus  !  papa  says  they  have  them  in 
shows." 

"I speck  dey  is,  honey,  but  who's  afear'd  er  snake  stufft 
wid  meal-bran?  Not  none  er  ole  Miss  gran-chillun, 
sho' !  " 

"  Well,  the  stories  don't  sound  funny  to  me." 

"  Dat  mought  be,  yit  deyer  funny  ter  Brer  Jack,  en  dey 
do  mighty  well  fer  ter  pass  de  time.  Atter  w'ile  you'll  be 
a  gwine  'roun'  runnin'  down  ole  Brer  Rabbit  en  de  t'er 
creeturs,  en  somehow  er  n'er  you'll  take  'n  git  ole  Remus 
mix  up  wid  um  twel  you  won't  know  w'ich  one  un  urn  you 
er  runnin'  down,  en  let  'lone  dat,  you  won't  keer  needer. 
Shoo,  honey  !  you  aint  de  fus'  chap  w'at  I  done  tole  deze 
yer  tales  ter." 

"  Why,  Uncle  Remus,"  exclaimed  the  little  boy,  in  a 
horrified  tone,  "I  wouldn't;  you  know  I  wouldn't !  " 

"Don't  tell  me!"  insisted  the  old  man,  "you  er  out- 
growin'  me,  en  you  er  outgrowin'  de  tales.  Des  lak  Miss 
Sally  change  de  lenk  er  yo'  britches,  des  dat  away  I  got 
ter  do  w'ence  I  whirl  in  en  per  so  o  atter  de  creeturs.  Time 
wuz  w'en  you  'ud  set  down  yer  by  dish  yer  h'ath,  en  you'd 
take'n  holler  en  laugh  en  clap  yo'  han's  w'en  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  'ud  kick  outen  all  er  he  tanglements ;  but  deze 
times  you  sets  dar  wid  yo'  eyes  wide  open,  en  you  don't 
crack  a  smile.  I  say  it ! "  Uncle  Remus  exclaimed, 
changing  his  tone  and  attitude,  as  if  addressing  some 
third  person  concealed  in  the  room.  "  I  say  it !  Stidder 


HOW    BROTHER    FOX    WAS    TOO    SMART.         269 

j'inin'  in  wid  de  fun,  he'll  take'n  lean  back  dar  en  'spute 
'long  wid  you  des  lak  grow'd  up  folks.  I'll  stick  it  out  dis 
season,  but  w'en  Chrismus  come,  I  be  bless  ef  I  aint 
gwine  ter  ax  Miss  Sally  fer  my  remoovance  papers,  en 
I'm  gwine  ter  hang  my  bundle  on  my  walkin'-cane,  en  see 
w'at  kinder  dirt  dey  is  at  de  fur  een'  er  de  big  road." 

"  Yes  !  "  exclaimed  the  little  boy,  triumphantly,  "  and,  if 
you  do,  the  patter-rollers  will  get  you." 

"  Well,"  replied  the  old  man,  with  a  curious  air  of 
resignation,  "ef  dey  does,  I  aint  gwine  ter  do  lak  Brer 
Fox  did  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  showed  him  de  tracks  in  de  big 
road." 

"  How  did  Brother  Fox  do,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 

"Watch  out,  now  !  Dish  yer  one  er  de  tales  w'at  aint 
got  no  fun  in  it." 

"Uncle  Remus,  please  tell  it." 

"  Hoi'  on  dar  !  Dey  mought  be  a  snake  some'rs  in  it  — 
one  er  deze  yer  meal-bran  snakes." 

"  Please,  Uncle  Remus,  tell  it." 

The  old  man  never  allowed  himself  to  resist  the  artful 
pleadings  of  the  little  boy.  So  he  recovered  his  specks 
from  under  the  chair,  looked  up  the  chimney  for  luck,  as 
he  explained  to  his  little  partner,  and  proceeded : 

"  One  day  w'en  Brer  Fox  went  callin'  on  Miss  Meadows 
en  Miss  Motts  en  de  t'er  gals,  who  should  he  fine  settin' 
up  dar  but  ole  Brer  Rabbit?  Yasser  !  Dar  he  wuz,  des 
ez  sociable  ez  you  please.  He  'uz  gwine  on  wid  de  gals, 
en  w'en  Brer  Fox  drapt  in  dey  look  lak  dey  wuz  mighty 
tickled  bout  sump'n  n'er  Brer  Rabbit  bin  sayin'.  Brer 


270  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

Fox,  he  look  sorter  jub'ous,  he  did,  des  lak  folks  does 
w'en  dey  walks  up  in  a  crowd  whar  de  yuthers  all  a  gig- 
glin'.  He  tuck'n  kotch  de  dry  grins  terreckerly.  But  dey 
all  howdied,  en  Miss  Meadows,  she  up'n  say  : 

'  You'll  des  hatter  skuse  us,  Brer  Fox,  on  de  'count  er 
dish  yer  gigglement.  Tooby  sho',  hit  monst'us  disperlite 
fer  we-all  fer  to  be  gwine  on  dat  a-way  ;  but  I  mighty  glad 
you  corne,  en  I  sez  ter  de  gals,  s'l,  "  'Fo'  de  Lord,  gals  ! 
dar  come  Brer  Fox,  en  yer  we  is  a  gigglin'  en  a  gwine  on 
scan'lous  ;  yit  hit  done  come  ter  mighty  funny  pass,"  s'l, 
"  ef  you  can't  run  on  en  laugh  'fo'  home  folks,"  s'l.  Dat 
des  'zactly  w'at  I  say,  en  I  leave  it  ter  ole  Brer  Rabbit  en 
de  gals  yer  ef  'taint.' 

"De  gals,  dey  tuck'n  jine  in,  dey  did,  en  dey  make  ole 
Brer  Fox  feel  right  splimmy-splammy,  en  dey  all  sot  dar 
en  run  on  'bout  dey  neighbors  des  lak  folks  does  deze 
days.  Dey  sot  dar,  dey  did,  twel  atter  w'ile  Brer  Rabbit 
look  out  todes  sundown,  en  'low  : 

' '  Now,  den,  folks  and  fr'en's,  I  bleedz  ter  say  goo' 
bye.  Cloud  comin'  up  out  yan,  en  mos'  'fo'  we  know  it, 
de  rain  '11  be  a  po'in'  en  de  grass  '11  be  a  growin'.' " 

"  Why,  that's  poetry,  Uncle  Remus  !  "  interrupted  the 
little  boy. 

"  Tooby  sho'  'tis,  honey  !  tooby  sho'  'tis.  I  des  let  you 
know  Brer  Rabbit  'uz  a  mighty  man  in  dem  days.  Brer 
Fox,  he  se  de  cloud  comin'  up,  en  he  up'n  'low  he  speck 
he  better  be  gittin'  'long  hisse'f ,  kaze  he  aint  wanter  git  he 
Sunday-go-ter-meetin'  cloze  wet.  Miss  Meadows  en  Miss 
Motts,  en  de  gals,  dey  want  um  ter  stay,  but  bofe  er  dem 


HOW    BEOTHEK    FOX    WAS    TOO    SMART.         271 

ar  creeturs  'uz  mighty  fear'd  er  gittin'  der  foots  wet,  en 
atter  w'ile  dey  put  out. 

"  Wiles  dey  'uz  gwine  down  de  big  road,  jawin'  at  one 
er  n'er,  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  stop  right  quick,  en  'low  : 

' ?  Run  yer,  Brer  Rabbit !  run  yer  !  Ef  my  eye  aint 
'ceive  me  yer  de  signs  whar  Mr.  Dog  bin  'long,  en  mo'n 
dat  dey  er  right  fresh.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sidle  up  en  look.     Den  he  'low  : 

' '  Dat  ar  track  aint  never  fit  Mr.  Dog  foot  in  de  'roun' 
worl'.  Wat  make  it  mo'  bindin','  sezee,  '  I  done  gone 
en  bin  'quainted  wid  de  man  w'at  make  dat  track,  too  long 
'go  ter  talk  'bout,'  sezee. 

'  Brer  Rabbit,  please,  sir,  tell  me  he  name.' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  laugh  lak  he  makin'  light  er  sump'n 
n'er. 

:t'Ef  I  aint  make  no  mistakes,  Brer  Fox,  de  po'  creetur 
w'at  make  dat  track  is  Cousin  Wildcat ;  no  mo'  en  no 
less.' 

"  'How  big  is  he,  Brer  Rabbit?' 

"  '  He  des  'bout  yo'  heft,  Brer  Fox.'  Den  Brer  Rabbit 
make  lak  he  talkin'  wid  hisse'f.  '  Tut,  tut,  tut !  Hit 
mighty  funny  dat  I  should  run  up  on  Cousin  Wildcat  in 
dis  part  er  de  worl'.  Tooby  sho',  tooby  sho'  !  Many  en 
manys  de  time  I  see  my  ole  Grandaddy  kick  en  cuff 
Cousin  Wildcat,  twel  I  git  sorry  'bout  'im.  Ef  you  want 
any  fun,  Brer  Fox,  right  nowde  time  ter  git  it.' 

"  Brer  Fox  up'n  ax,  he  did,  how  he  gwine  have  any  fun. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low  : 


272  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE  EEMUS. 

"Easy  nuff;  des  go  en  tackle  ole  Cousin  Wildcat,  en 
lam  'ira  'rounV 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  sorter  scratch  he  year,  en  'low  : 

" '  Eh-eh,  Brer  Rabbit,  I  fear'd.  He  track  too  much 
lak  Mr.  Dog.' 

"Brer  Rabbit  des  set  right  flat  down  in  de  road,  en 
holler  en  laugh.  He  'low,  sezee  : 

:f  *  Shoo,  Brer  Fox  !  Who'd  a  thunk  you  'uz  so  skeery  ? 
Des  come  look  at  dish  yer  track  right  close.  Is  dey  any 
sign  er  claw  anywhar's  ? ' 

"  Brer  Fox  bleedz  ter  'gree  dat  day  want  no  sign  er  no 
claw.  Brer  Rabbit  say  :  — 

'  Well,  den,  ef  he  aint  got  no  claw,  how  he  gwine  ter 
hu't  you,  Brer  Fox?' 

•"'  W'at  gone  wid  he  toofs,  Brer  Rabbit?' 

' '  Shoo,  Brer  Fox  !  Creeturs  w'at  barks  1  de  trees 
aint  gwine  bite.' 

"  Brer  Fox  tuck'n  tuck  n'er  good  look  at  de  tracks,  en 
den  him  en  Brer  Rabbit  put  out  fer  ter  foller  um  up. 
Dey  went  up  de  road,  en  down  de  lane,  en  'cross  de 
turnip  patch,  en  down  a  dreen,2  en  up  a  big  gully. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  done  de  trackin',  en  eve'y  time  he  fine 
one,  he  up  'n  holler  : 

f  Yer  n'er  track,  en  no  claw  dar  !     Yer  n'er  track,  en 
no  claw  dar  1  ' 

"  Dey  kep'  on  en  kep'  on,  twel  bimeby  dey  run  up  wid 
de  creetur.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  holler  out  mighty  biggity  : 

1  Gnaws  the  bark  from  the  trees. 

2  Drain  or  ditch. 


HOW    BROTHER    FOX    WAS    TOO    SMART.          273 

" '  Heyo  dar  !     Wat  you  doin'  ? ' 

"De  creetur  look  'roun',  but  he  aint  sayin'  nothin'. 
Brer  Eabbit  'low : 

' '  Oh,  you  nee'nter  look  so  sullen  !  We  'ull  make  you 
talk  To'  we  er  done  "'long  wid  you  !  Come,  now  !  Wat 
you  doin'  out  dar  ? ' 

"  De  creetur  rub  hisse'f  'gin'  a  tree  des  lak  you  see  deze 
yer  house  cats  rub  'g'in  a  cheer,  but  he  aint  say  in'  nothin'. 
Brer  Rabbit  holler: 

f  Wat  you  come  pesterin'  'long  wid  us  fer,  w'en  we 
aint  bin  a  pesterin'  you?  You  got  de  consate  dat  I 
dunner  who  you  is,  but  I  does.  Youer  de  same  ole 
Cousin  Wildcat  w'at  my  gran'daddy  use  ter  kick  en  cuff 
w'en  you  'fuse  ter  'spon'.  I  let  you  know  I  got  a  better 
man  yer  dan  w'at  my  gran'daddy  ever  is  bin,  en  1  boun' 
you  he  'ull  make  you  talk.  Dat  w'at  I  boun'  you.' 

"De  creetur  lean  mo'  harder 'gin'  de  tree,  en  sorter 
ruffle  up  he  bristle,  but  he  aint  say  in'  nothin'.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  'low  : 

? '  Go  up  dar,  Brer  Fox,  en  ef  he  'fuse  ter  'spon'  slap 
'im  down  !  Dat  de  way  my  gran'daddy  done.  You  go 
up  dar,  Brer  Fox,  en  ef  he  dast  ter  try  ter  run,  I'll  des 
whirl  in  en  ketch  'im.' 

"Brer  Fox,  he  sorter  jub'ous,  but  he  start  todes  de 
creetur.  Ole  Cousin  Wildcat  walk  all  'roun'  de  tree, 
rubbin'  hisse'f,  but  he  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  holler : 

' '  Des  walk  right  up  en  slap  'im  down,  Brer  Fox  — 


274  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  EEMUS. 

de  owdashus  vilyun  !  Des  hit  'im  a  surbinder,  en  ef  he 
dast  ter  run,  I  boun'  you  I'll  ketch  'im.' 

"Brer  Fox,  he  went  up  little  nigher.  Cousin  Wild- 
cat stop  rubbin'  on  de  tree,  en  sot  up  on  he  behime  legs 
wid  he  front  paws  in  de  a'r,  en  he  balance  hisse'f  by  leanin' 
'g'in  de  tree,  but  he  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
squall  out,  he  did  : 

"  *  Oh,  you  nee'nter  put  up  yo'  han's  en  try  ter  beg  off. 
Dat  de  way  you  fool  my  ole  Grandaddy  ;  but  you  can't  fool 
we-all.  All  yo'  settin'  up  en  beggin'  aint  gwine  ter  he'p 
you.  Ef  youer  so  humble  ez  all  dat,  wa't  make  you  come 
pesterin'  'longer  we-all?  Hit  'im  a  clip,  Brer  Fox  !  Ef 
he  run,  I'll  ketch  'im  ! ' 

"  Brer  Fox  see  de  creetur  look  so  mighty  humble,  settin' 
up  dar  lak  he  beggin'  off,  en  he  sorter  take  heart.  He 
sidle  up  todes  'im,  he  did,  en  des  ez  he  'uz  makin'  ready  fer 
ter  slap  ?im,  old  Cousin  Wildcat  drawd  back  en  fotch  Brer 
Fox  a  wipe  'cross  de  stomach." 

Uncle  Remus  paused  here  a  moment,  as  if  to  discover 
some  term  strong  enough  to  do  complete  justice  to  the 
catastrophe.  Presently  he  went  on  : 

"  Dat  ar  Cousin  Wildcat  creetur  fotch  Brer  Fox  a  wipe 
'cross  de  stomach,  en  you  mought  a  yeard  'im  squall  fum 
yer  ter  Harmony  Grove.  Little  mo'  en  de  creetur  would 
er  to'  Brer  Fox  in  two.  W'ence  de  creetur  made  a  pass  at 
'im,  Brer  Rabbit  knew  w'at  gwine  ter  happen,  yit  all  de 
same,  he  tuck'n  holler  : 

"'Hit   'im   ag'in,    Brer   Fox  I     Hit  'im   ag'in  I      I'm 


BROTHER    WOLF    GETS    IN    A    WARM    PLACE.     275 

a-backin'  you,  Brer  Fox  !    Ef  he  dast  ter  run,  I'll  inabout 
cripple  'im  —  dat  I  will.     Hit  'im  ag'in  !  * 

"All  dis  time,  w'iles  Brer  Rabbit  gwine  on  dis  away, 
Brer  Fox,  he  'uz  a  squattin'  down,  hol'in'  he  stomach  wid 
bofe  han's  en  des  a  moanin'  : 

"  'I'm  mint,  Brer  Rabbit !  I'm  ruint !  Run  fetch  de 
doctor  !  I'm  teetotally  ruint !  ' 

"'Bout  dat  time,  Cousin  Wildcat,  he  tuck'n  tuck  a 
walk.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  lak  he  'stonish'  dat  Brer 
Fox  is  hurted.  He  tuck'n  'zamin'  de  place,  he  did,  en 
he  up'n  'low : 

' '  Hit  look  lak  ter  me,  Brer  Fox,  dat  dat  owdashus 
vilyun  tuck'n  struck  you  wid  a  reapin'-hook.' 

"Wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  lit  out'fer  home,  en  w'en  he 
git  out  er  sight,  he  tuck'n  shuck  he  han's  des  lak  cat  does 
w'en  she  git  water  on  'er  foots,  en  he  tuck'n  laugh  en 
laugh  twel  it  make  'im  sick  fer  ter  laugh. 


XLV. 


BROTHER     WOLF    GETS    IN    A  WARM  PLACE. 

THE  little  boy  thought  that  the  story  of  how  the  wild- 
cat scratched  Brother  Fox  was  one  of  the  best  stories  he 
had  ever  heard,  and  he  didn't  hesitate  to  say  so.  His 
hearty  endorsement  increased  Uncle  Remus's  good-humor ; 


276  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

and  the  old  man,  with  a  broad  grin  upon  his  features,  and 
something  of  enthusiasm  in  his  tone,  continued  to  narrate 
the  adventures  of  Brother  Rabbit. 

"  After  Brer  Fox  git  hurted  so  bad,"  said  Uncle 
Remus,  putting  an  edge  upon  his  axe  with  a  whetstone 
held  in  his  hand,  "  hit  wuz  a  mighty  long  time  'fo'  he 
could  ramble  'roun'  en  worry  ole  Brer  Rabbit.  Des  time 
Cousin  Wildcat  fetch'd  'im  dat  wipe  'cross  de  stomach, 
he  tuk'n  lay  de  blame  on  Brer  Rabbit,  en  w'en  he  git  well, 
he  des  tuck'n  juggle  wid  de  yuther  creeturs,  en  dey  all 
'gree  dat  dem  en  Brer  Rabbit  can't  drink  out  er  de  same 
branch,  ner  walk  de  same  road,  ner  live  in  de  same  settle- 
ment, ner  go  in  washin'  in  de  same  wash-hole. 

"  Tooby  sho'  Brer  Rabbit  bleedz  to  take  notice  er  all 
dish  yer  kinder  jugglements  en  gwines  on,  en  he  des 
tuck'n  strenken  he  house,  in  de  neighborhood  er  de 
winders,  en  den  he  put  'im  up  a  steeple  on  top  er  dat. 
Yasser  !  A  sho'  'miff  steeple,  en  he  rise  'er  up  so  high 
dat  folks  gwine  'long  de  big  road  stop  en  say,  "  Hey ! 
Wat  kinder  meetin'-house  dat  ?  ' ' 

The  little  boy  laughed  loudly  at  Uncle  Remus's  graphic 
delineation  of  the  astonishment  and  admiration  of  the 
passers-by.  The  old  man  raised  his  head,  stretched  his 
eyes,  and  seemed  to  be  looking  over  his  spectacles  right 
at  Brother  Rabbit's  steeple. 

"Folks  'ud  stop  en  ax,  but  Brer  Rabbit  aint  got  time 
fer  ter  make  no  answer.  He  hammer'd,  lie  nailed,  he 
knock'd,  he  lamm'd !  Folks  go  by,  he  aint  look  up ; 
creeture  come  stan'  en  watch  'im,  he  aint  look  'roun' ; 


BROTHER    WOLF    GETS    IN    A    WARM    PLACE.     277 

wuk,  wuk,  wuk,  from  sun-up  ter  sundown,  twel  dat  ar 
steeple  git  done.  Den  ole  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  draw  long 
breff,  en  wipe  he  forrerd,  en  'low  dat  ef  dem  t'er  creeturs 
w'at  bin  atter  'im  so  long  is  got  any  de  Vantage  er  him, 
de  time  done  come  fer  um  fer  ter  show  it. 

"  Wid  dat  he  went  en  got  'im  a  snack  er  sump'n'  t'  eat, 
en  a  long  piece  er  plough-line,  en  he  tole  he  ole  'oman  fer 
ter  put  a  kittle  er  water  on  de  fire,  en  stan'  'roun'  close 
by,  en  eve'ything  he  tell  'er  not  ter  do  dat  de  ve'y  thing 
she  sho'ly  mus'  do.  Den  ole  Brer  Rabbit  sot  down  in 
he  rockin'-cheer  en  lookt  out  funi  de  steeple  fer  ter  see 
how  de  Ian'  lay. 

'  'Twan't  long  To'  all  de  creeturs  year  talk  dat  Brer 
Rabbit  done  stop  wuk,  en  dey  'gun  ter  come  'roun'  fer  ter 
see  w'at  he  gwine  do  nex'.  But  Brer  Rabbit,  he  got  up 
dar,  he  did,  en  smoke  he  seegyar,  en  chaw  he  'backer,  en 
let  he  min'  run  on.  Brer  Wolf,  he  stan'  en  look  up  at 
de  steeple,  Brer  Fox,  he  stan'  en  look  up  at  it,  en  all  de 
t'er  creeturs  dey  done  de  same.  Nex' time  you  see  a  crowd 
er  folks  lookin'  at  sump'n  right  hard,  you  des  watch  um, 
honey.  Dey'll  walk  'roun'  one  er  n'er  en  swap  places,  en 
dey'll  be  constant  on  de  move.  Dat  des  de  way  de  creeturs 
done.  Dey  walk  'roun'  and  punch  one  er  n'er  en  swap 
places,  en  look  en  look.  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sot  up  dar, 
he  did,  en  chaw  he  'backer,  en  smoke  he  seegyar,  en  let 
he  min'  run  on. 

"  Bimeby  ole  Brer  Tarry  pin  come  'long,  en  ole  Brer 
Tarrypin  bin  in  cohoots  wid  Brer  Rabbit  so  long  dat  he 
does  nat'ally  know  dey  wuz  gwine  ter  be  fun  er  plenty 


278  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

'roun'  in  dem  neighborhoods  'fo'  de  sun  go  down.  He 
laugh  'way  down  und'  de  roof  er  he  house,  ole  Brer  Tar- 
rypin did,  en  den  he  hail  Brer  Rabbit : 

' '  Heyo,  Brer  Rabbit !  Wat  you  doin'  Vay  up  in 
de  elements  lak  dat  ? ' 

c '  I'm  a  sojourneyin'  up  yer  fer  ter  res'  myse'f,  Brer 
Tarrypin.  Drap  up  en  see  me.' 

f '  Twix'  you  en  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  de  drappin's  all  one 
way.  S'posin'  you  tu'n  loose  en  come.  Man  live  dat 
high  up  bleedz  ter  have  wings.  I  aint  no  high-flyer 
myse'f.  I  fear'd  ter  shake  han's  wid  you  so  fur  off,  Brer 
Rabbit.' 

"Not  so,  Brer  Tarrypin,  not  so.  My  sta'rcase  is  a 
mighty  limbersome  one,  en  I'll  des  let  it  down  ter  you.' 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  let  down  de  plough-line. 

r '  Des  ketch  holt  er  dat,  Brer  Tarrypin,'  sez  Brer 
Rabbit,  sezee,  *  en  up  you  comes,  linJctum  sinktum 
binlctum  boo'9  sezee." 

"What  was  that,  Uncle  Remus?"  said  the  little  boy, 
taking  a  serious  view  of  the  statement. 

"  Creetur  talk,  honey  —  des  creetur  talk.  Bless  yo' 
soul,  chile !  "  the  old  man  went  on,  with  a  laughable 
assumption  of  dignity,  "  ef  you  think  I  got  time  fer  ter 
stop  right  short  off  en  stribbit l  out  all  I  knows,  you  er 
mighty  much  mistaken  —  mighty  much  mistaken. 

"  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  know  mighty  well  dat  Brer  Rabbit 
ain't  got  nothin'  'g'in  'im,  yet  he  got  sech  a  habit  er 
lookin'  out  fer  hisse'f,  dat  he  tuck'n  ketch  de  plough-line 
i  Distribute. 


BROTHER    WOLF    GETS    IN    A    WARM    PLACE.     279 

in  he  mouf,  he  did,  en.  try  de  strenk  un  it.  Ole  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  holler  '  Swing  on,  Brer  Tarry  pin  !  '  en  Brer 
Tarrypin,  he  tuck'n  swung  on,  en  'twant  long  To  he  uz 
settin'  up  dar  side  er  Brer  Rabbit. 

"  But  I  wish  ter  goodness  you'd  a  bin  dar,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  very  gracefully  leaving  it  to  be  inferred 
that  he  was  there  ;  "  I  wish  ter  goodness  you'd  a  bin  dar 
so  you  could  er  seed  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  w'iles  Brer  Rabbit 
'uz  haulin'  'im  up,  wid  he  tail  a-wigglin'  en  he  legs  all 
spraddled  out,  en  him  a  whirlin'  'roun'  en  'roun'  en  lookin' 
skeer'd. 

"  De  t'er  creeturs  dey  see  Brer  Tarrypin  go  up  safe  en 
soun',  en  dey  see  de  vittles  passin'  'roun',  en  day  'gun  ter 
feel  lak  dey  wanter  see  de  inside  er  Brer  Rabbit  steeple. 
Den  Brer  Wolf,  he  hail  'im  : 

' '  Heyo  dar,  Brer  Rabbit !  Youer  lookin'  mighty 
scrumptious  'way  up  dar!  How  you  come  on?' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  look  down,  he  did,  en  he  see  who 
'tis  hollerin',  en  he  'spon' : 

"'Po'ly,  mighty  po'ly,  but  I  thank  de  Lord  I'm 
able  to  eat  my  'lowance.1  Won't  you  drap  up,  Brer 
Wolf?' 

r  *  Hit's  a  mighty  clumsy  journey  fer  ter  make,  Brer 
Rabbit,  yit  I  don't  keer  ef  I  does.' 

"Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  let  down  de  plough-line,  en 
Brer  Wolf  kotch  holt,  en  dey  'gun  ter  haul  'im  up.  Dey 
haul  en  dey  haul,  en  w'en  Brer  Wolf  git  mos'  ter  de  top, 
he  year  Brer  Rabbit  holler  out : 

1  Allowance ;  ration. 


280  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

' f  Stir  'roun5,  ole  'oman,  en  set  de  table ;  but  'fo'  you 
do  dat,  fetch  de  kittle  fer  ter  make  de  coffee.' 

"  Dey  haul  and  dey  haul  on  de  plough-line,  en  Brer 
Wolf  year  Brer  Rabbit  squall  out : 

"  '  Watch  out  dar,  ole  'oman  !  You'll  spill  dat  b'ilin' 
water  on  Brer  Wolf!' 

"  En,  bless  yo'  soul ! "  continued  Uncle  Remus,  turning 
half  around  in  his  chair  to  face  his  enthusiastic  audience 
of  one,  "dat  'uz  'bout  all  Brer  Wolf  did  year,  kaze  de 
nex'  minit,  down  come  de  scaldin'  water,  en  Brer  Wolf 
des  fetch  one  squall  en  turn't  hisse'f  aloose,  en  w'en  he 
strak  de  groun'  he  bounce  des  same  ez  one  er  deze  yer 
injun-rubber  balls  w'at  you  use  ter  play  wid  'long  in  dem 
times  'fo'  you  tuck'n  broke  yo'  mammy  lookin'-glass.  Ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  lean  furn  out  de  steeple  en  'pollygize  de 
bes'  he  kin,  but  no  'pollygy  aint  gvvine  ter  make  ha'r  come 
back  whar  de  b'ilin'  water  hit." 

"  Did  they  spill  the  hot  water  on  purpose,  Uncle 
Remus?"  the  little  boy  inquired, 

w  Now,  den,  honey,  youer  crowdin'  me.  Dem  ar  cree- 
turs  wuz  mighty  kuse  —  mo'  speshually  Brer  Rabbit. 
W'en  it  come  down  ter  dat,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  lowering 
his  voice  and  looking  very  grave,  "  I  speck  ef  yonder 
s'arch  de  country  fum  hen-roost  to  river-bank,1  you 
won't  fine  a  no  mo'  kuser  man  dan  Brer  Rabbit.  All  I 


1  Based  on  a  characteristic  negro  saying.  For  instance  :  "  Where's  Jim  ? " 
"You  can't  keep  up  wid  dat  nigger.  Des  let  night  come,  en  he's  runnin  fum 
hen-roost  to  river-bank."  In  other  words,  stealing  chickens  and  robbing  fish- 
baskets, 


BROTHER    WOLF    STILL    IN    TROUBLE.  281 

knows  is  dat  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarrypin  had  a  mighty 
laughin'  spell  des  'bout  de  time  Brer  Wolf  hit  de 
groun'." 


XL  VI. 

BROTHER    WOLF  STILL  IN  TROUBLE. 

"EN  still  we  er  by  ourse'fs,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus, 
as  the  little  boy  ran  into  his  cabin,  the  night  after  he  had 
heard  the  story  of  how  Brother  Rabbit  scalded  Brother 
Wolf.  ".We  er  by  ourse'fs  en  time's  a  passin'.  Dem  ar 
folks  dunner  w'at  dey  er  missin'.  We  er  des  gittin'  ter 
dat  p'int  whar  we  kin  keep  de  run  er  creeturs,  en  it  keeps 
us  dat  busy  we  aint  got  time  fer  ter  bolt  our  vittles 
skacely. 

"I  done  tell  you  'bout  Brer  Rabbit  makin'  'im  a  steeple  ; 
but  I  aint  tell  you  'bout  how  Brer  Rabbit  got  ole  Brer 
Wolf  out'n  er  mighty  bad  fix." 

"No,"  said  the  little  boy,  "you  haven't,  and  that's  just 
what  I  have  come  for  now." 

Uncle  Remus  looked  at  the  rafters,  then  at  the  little 
boy,  and  finally  broke  into  a  loud  laugh. 

"I  'clar  ter  goodness,"  he  exclaimed,  addressing  the 
imaginary  third  person  to  whom  he  related  the  most  of  his 
grievances,  "I  'clar  ter  goodness  ef  dat  ar  chile  aint  gittin' 


282  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

so  dat  he's  eve'y  whit  ez  up-en-spoken  ez  w'at  ole  Miss 
ever  bin.  Dat  he  is  ! " 

The  old  man  paused  long  enough  to  give  the  little  boy 
some  uneasiness,  and  then  continued  : 

"Atter  ole  Brer  Fox  git  de  natal  hide  tuck  off'n  'im  on 
de  'count  er  Brer  Rabbit  kittle,  co'se  he  hatter  go  way  off 
by  hisse'f  fer  ter  let  de  ha'r  grow  out.  He  'uz  gone  so 
long  dat  Brer  Rabbit  sorter  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  speck 
he  kin  come  down  out'n  he  steeple,  en  sorter  rack  'roun' 
mungs  de  t'er  creeturs. 

"He  sorter  primp  up,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  den  he  start 
out  'pun  he  journeys  hether  en  yan.1  He  tuck'n  went  ter 
de  cross-roads,  en  dar  he  stop  en  choose  'im  a  road.  He 
choose  'im  a  road,  he  did,  en  den  he  put  out  des  lak  he 
bin  sent  fer  in  a  hurry. 

"Brer  Rabbit  gallop  on,  he  did,  talkin'  en  laughin'  wid 
hisse'f,  en  eve'y  time  he  pass  folks,  he'd  tu'n  it  off  en 
make  lak  he  singin'.  He  'uz  gwine  on  dis  away,  w'en  fus' 
news  you  know,  he  tuck'n  year  sump'n.  He  stop  talkin'  en 
'gun  ter  hum  a  chune,  but  he  aint  meet  nobody.  Den 
he  stop  en  lissen  en  he  year  sump'n  holler : 

"  '  O  Lordy  !  Lordy  !  Won't  somebody  come  he'p 
me?'" 

The  accent  of  grief  and  despair  and  suffering  that 
Uncle  Remus  managed  to  throw  into  this  supplication  was 
really  harrowing. 

"Brer  Rabbit  year  dis,  en  he  stop  en  lissen.  'Twan't 
long  'fo'  sump'n  n'er  holler  out : 

1  Hither  and  yon. 


BROTHER    WOLF    STILL    IN    TROUBLE.  283 

:?fO  Lordy,  Lordy!  Please,  somebody,  come  en 
he'p  me.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  h'ist  up  he  years,  he  did,  en  make  an- 
swer back : 

'  Who  is  you,  nohow,  en  w'at  de.  name  er  goodness  de 
marter?' 

' '  Please,  somebody,  do  run  yer  ! ' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  stan'  on  th'ee  legs  fer  to  make 
sho  er  gittin'  a  good  start  ef  dey  'uz  any  needs  un  it,  en 
he  holler  back : 

'Wharbouts  is  you,  en  how  come  you  dar?' 

'*  'Do  please,  somebody,  run  yer  en  he'p  a  po'  mizer- 
bul  creetur.  I'm  down  yer  in  de  big  gully  und'  dish  yer 
great  big  rock/ 

"  Ole  Brer  Rabbit  bleedz  ter  be  mighty  'tickler  in  dem 
days,  en  he  crope  down  ter  de  big  gully  en  look  in,  en 
who  de  name  er  goodness  you  speck  he  seed  down  dar  ?  " 

Uncle  Remus  paused  and  gave  the  little  boy  a  look  of 
triumph,  and  then  proceeded  without  waiting  for  a  reply  : 

"  Nobody  in  de  roun'  worP  but  dat  ar  ole  Brer  Wolf 
w'at  Brer  Rabbit  done  bin  scalted  de  week  To'  dat.  He 
'uz  layin'  down  dar  in  de  big  gully,  en,  bless  gracious  ! 
'pun  top  un  'im  wuz  a  great  big  rock,  en  ef  you  want  ter 
know  de  reason  dat  ar  great  big  rock  aint  teetotally  kilt 
Brer  Wolf,  den  you'll  hatter  ax  some  un  w'at  know  mo' 
'bout  it  dan  w'at  I  does ,  kaze  hit  look  lak  ter  me  dat  it  des 
oughter  mash  'im  flat. 

"  Yit  dar  he  wuz,  en  let  'lone  bein'  kilt,  he  got  strenk 
nuff  lef  fer  ter  make  folks  year  'im  holler  a  mile  off ,  en 


284  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

he  holler  so  lonesome  dat  it  make  Brer  Rabbit  feel  mighty 
sorry,  en  no  sooner  is  he  feel  sorry  dan  he  hoi'  he  coat- 
tails  out  de  way  en  slid  down  de  bank  fer  ter  see  w'at  he 
kin  do. 

"Wen  he  git  down  dar  Brer  Wolf  ax 'im  please,  sir, 
kin  he  he'p  'im  wid  de  removance  er  dat  ar  rock,  en  Brer 
Rabbit  'low  he  speck  he  kin ;  en  wid  dat  Brer  Wolf  holler 
en  tell  'im  fer  mussy  sake  won't  he  whirl  in  en  do  it,  w'ich 
Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  ketch  holt  er  de  rock  en  hump  hisse'f, 
en  'twant  long  'fo'  he  git  a  purchis  on  it,  en,  bless  yo' 
soul,  he  lif  'er  up  des  lak  nigger  at  de  log-rollin'. 

"  Hit  tu'n  out  dat  Brer  Wolf  aint  hurted  much,  en  w'en 
he  fine  dis  out,  he  tuck'n  tuck  a  notion  dat  ef  he  ev'  gwine 
git  he  revengeance  out'n  Brer  Rabbit,  right  den  wuz  de 
time,  en  no  sooner  does  dat  come  'cross  he  min'  dan  he 
tuck'n  grab  Brer  Rabbit  by  de  nap  er  de  neck  en  de  small 
er  de  back. 

"Brer  Rabbit  he  kick  en  squeal,  but  'taint  do  no  man- 
ner er  good,  kaze  de  mo'  w'at  he  kick  de  mo'  tighter  Brer 
Wolf  clamp  'im,  w'ich  he  squoze  'im  so  hard  dat  Brer 
Rabbit  wuz  feard  he  'uz  gwine  ter  cut  off  he  breff.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  'low  : 

"'Well,  den,  Brer  Wolf!  Is  dish  yer  de  way  you 
thanks  folks  fer  savin'  yo'  life?' 

"  Brer  Wolf  grin  big,  en  den  he  up?n  'low  : 

"Til  thank  you,  Brer  Rabbit,  en  den  I'll  make  fresh 
meat  out'n  you.' 

"Brer  Rabbit  'low,  he  did  : 


BROTHER    WOLF    STILL    IN    TROUBLE.  285 

"'Ef  you  talk  dat  away,  Brer  Wolf,  I  never  is  to  do 
yer  n'er  good  turn  w'iles  I  live.' 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  grin  some  ino'  en  'low : 

' '  Dat  you  won't,  Brer  Kabbit,  dat  you  won't  I  You 
won't  do  me  no  mo'  good  turn  tell  you  er  done  dead.' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  study  ter  hisse'f,  he  did,  en  den 
he  'low : 

"Whar  I  come  fum,  Brer  Wolf,  hit's  agin'  de  law  fer 
folks  fer  to  kill  dem  w'at  done  done  um  a  good  turn,  en  I 
speck  hits  de  law  right  'roun'  yer.' 

"  Brer  Wolf  say  he  aint  so  mighty  sho'  'bout  dat.  Brer 
Rabbit  say  he  willin'  fer  ter  lef  de  whole  case  wid  Brer 
Tarrypin,  en  Brer  Wolf  say  he  'gree'ble. 

"Wid  dat,  dey  put  out,  dey  did,  en  make  der  way  ter 
whar  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  stay,  en  w'en  dey  git  dar,  Brer 
Wolf  he  tuck'n  tell  he  side,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck'n 
tell  he  side.  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  put  on  he  specks  en 
cle'r  up  he  th'oat,  en  den  he  'low  : 

"'Deys  a  mighty  heap  er  mixness  in  dish  yer  'spute, 
en  'fo'  I  kin  take  any  sides  you'll  des  hatter  kyar  me  fer 
ter  see  de  place  whar  bouts  Brer  Wolf  wuz  w'en  Brer 
Rabbit  foun'  'im,'  sezee. 

"  Sho  miff,  dey  tuck'n  kyar'd  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  down 
de  big  road  twel  dey  come  ter  de  big  gully,  en  den  dey 
tuck  'im  ter  whar  Brer  Wolf  got  kotch  und'  de  big  rock. 
Ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  walk  'roun',  he  did,  en  poke  at  de 
place  wid  de  een'  er  he  cane.  Bimeby  he  shuck  he  head, 
he  did,  en  'low  : 

wtl  hates  might'ly  fer  ter  put  you  all  gents  ter  so  much 


286  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

trouble  ;  yit,  dey  aint  no  two  ways,  I'll  hatter  see  des  how 
Brer  Wolf  was  kotch,  en  des  how  de  rock  wuz  lay  in'  'pun 
top  un  'im,'  sezee.  'De  older  folks  gits,  de  mo'  trouble 
dey  is,'  sezee,  fen  I  aint  'nyin'  but  w'at  I'm  a  ripenin'  mo' 
samer  dan  a  'simmon  w'at's  bin  strucken  wid  de  fros',' 
sezee. 

"  Den  Brer  Wolf,  he  tuck'n  lay  down  whar  he  wuz  w'en 
Brer  Rabbit  foun'  'im,  en  de  yuthers  dey  up'n  roll  de  rock 
'pun  top  un  'im.  Dey  roll  de  rock  'pun  'im,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  looking  over  his  spectacles  to  see  what 
effect  the  statement  had  on  the  little  boy,  "en  dar  he 
wuz.  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  walk  all  'roun'  en  'roun',  en  look 
at  'im.  Den  he  sot  down,  he  did,  en  make  marks  in  de 
san'  wid  he  cane  lak  he  studyin'  'bout  sump'n  n'er.  Bime- 
by,  Brer  Wolf,  he  open  up  : 

"Ow,  Brer  Tarrypin!  Dish  yer  rock  gittin'  mighty 
heavy ! ' 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  he  mark  in  de  san',  en  study,  en  study. 
Brer  Wolf  holler : 

('Ow,  Brer  Tarrypin!  Dish  yer  rock  mashin'  de 
breff  out'n  me.' 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  he  r'ar  back,  he  did,  en  he  'low, 
sezee  : 

"Brer  Rabbit,  you  wuz  in  de  wrong.  You  aint  had 
no  business  fer  ter  come  bodderin'  'longer  Brer  Wolf  w'en 
he  aint  bodderin'  'longer  you.  He  'uz  'ten'in'  ter  he  own 
business  en  you  oughter  bin  'ten'in'  ter  yone.' 

"Dis  make  Brer  Rabbit  look  'shame'  er  hisse'f,  but 
Brer  Tarrypin  talk  right  erlong : 


BRO.   RABBIT    LAYS    IN    HIS    BEEF    SUPPLY.      287 

" '  Wen  you  'uz  gwine  down  dish  yer  road  dis  mawnin', 
you  sho'ly  mus'  bin  a  gwine  som'ers.  Ef  you  wuz  gwine 
som'ers  you  better  be  gwine  on.  Brer  Wolf,  he  wa'n't  gwine 
nowhars  den,  en  he  aint  gwine  nowhars  now.  You  foun' 
'im  und'  dat  ar  rock,  en  und'  dat  ar  rock  you  lef '  'im.' 

"  En,  bless  gracious  !"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  "dem 
ar  creeturs  racked  off  fum  dar  en  lef  ole  Brer  Wolf  und' 
dat  ar  rock." 


XL  VII. 

BROTHER  RABBITT  LAYS   IN  HIS  BEEF 
SUPPLY. 

"I  WONDER  where  Daddy  Jack  is,"  said  the  little  boy, 
one  night  after  he  had  been  waiting  for  some  time  for 
Uncle  Remus  to  get  leisure  to  tell  him  a  story. 

Uncle  Remus,  who  was  delightfully  human  in  his  hypoc- 
risy, as  well  as  in  other  directions,  leaned  back  in  his 
chair,  looked  at  the  little  boy  with  an  air  of  grieved 
resignation,  and  said : 

"  I  boun'  you  does,  honey,  I  boun'  you  does.  Ole  Brer 
Jack  look  mighty  weazly  ter  de  naked  eye,  but  I  lay  he's 
a  lots  mo'  likelier  nigger  dan  w'at  ole  Remus  is.  De  time 
done  gone  by  w'en  a  po'  ole  no-'count  nigger  lak  me  kin 
hoi'  he  han'  wid  a  bran  new  nigger  man  lak  Brer  Jack." 

The  child  stared  at  Uncle  Remus  with  open-eyed 
astonishment. 


288  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  KEMUS. 

"  Now,  Uncle  Remus  !  I  didn't  mean  that ;  you  know  I 
didn't,"  he  exclaimed. 

"  Bless  yo'  heart,  honey  !  hit  don't  pester  me.  I  done 
got  de  speunce  un  it.  Dat  I  is.  Plough-hoss  don't  squeal 
en  kick  w'en  dey  puts  n'er  boss  in  he  place.  Brer  Jack 
got  de  age  on  'im  but  he  new  ter  you.  Ole  er  young,  folks 
is  folks,  en  no  longer  'n  day  'fo'  yistiddy,  I  year  you 
braggin'  'bout  how  de  vittles  w'at  dey  feeds  you  on  up  at 
de  big  house  aint  good  ez  de  vittles  w'at  yuther  childun 
gits.  Nummine  ole  Remus,  honey ;  you  en  Brer  Jack 
des  go  right  erlong  en  I'll  be  much  'blige  ef  you'll 
des  lemme  set  in  de  cornder  yer  en  chunk  de  fier.  Sho'ly 
I  aint  pas'  doin'  dat." 

The  child  was  troubled  to  think  that  Uncle  Remus 
should  find  it  necessary  to  depreciate  himself,  and  he 
made  haste  to  explain  his  position. 

"I  thought  that  if  Daddy  Jack  was  here  he  could  tell 
me  a  story  while  you  are  working,  so  you  wouldn't  be 
bothered." 

A  broad  grin  of  appreciation  spread  over  Uncle  Remus's 
face.  He  adjusted  his  spectacles,  looked  around  and 
behind  him,  and  then,  seeing  no  one  but  the  child, 
addressed  himself  to  the  rafters  and  cobwebs  : 

"Well !  well !  well !  ef  dish  yer  don't  beat  all !  Genter- 
mens  !  dish  yer  little  chap  yer,  he  puny  in  de  legs,  yit  he 
mighty  strong  in  de  head." 

He  paused,  as  if  reflecting  over  the  whole  matter,  and 
then  turned  to  the  child  : 

"Is  dat  w'at  make  you  hone  atter  Daddy  Jack,  honey  — 


BRO.  BABBIT  LAYS  IN  HIS  BEEF  SUPPLY.   289 

des  kaze  you  wanter  set  back  dar  en  lissen  at  a  tale? 
Now,  den,  ef  you  hadn't  a  got  me  off'n  de  track,  you'd  a 
bin  settin'  yer  lis'ncn  at  one  un  um  dis  blessid  minnit,  kaze 
des  time  I  year  talk  dat  Mars.  John  gwine  ter  have  dat  ar 
long-hornded  steer  kilt  fer  beef,  hit  come  'cross  my  min' 
'bout  de  time  w'ence  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Fox  jined  in  wid 
one  er  n'er  en  kilt  a  cow." 

"Killed  a  cow,  Uncle  Remus?" 

"  Des  ez  sho'  ez  youer  settin'  dar,"  replied  the  old  man 
with  emphasis.  "Look  lak  dey  want  no  kinder  doin's 
w'at  dem  ar  creeturs  want  up  ter,  mo'  speshually  ole  Brer 
Rabbit.  Day  in  en  day  out,  fum  mawnin'  twel  night  en 
fum  night  twel  mawnin',  he  'uz  constant  a  studyin'  up 
some  bran  new  kinder  contrapshun  fer  ter  let  de  yuther 
creeturs  know  he  'uz  some'rs  in  de  neighborhoods. 

"  Come  down  ter  dat,  you  kin  b'leeve  me  er  not  b'leeve 
me,  des  ez  you  er  min'  ter ;  you  kin  take  yo'  choosement ; 
but  ole  Brer  Rabbit  en  ole  Brer  Fox,  spite  er  dey  fallin' 
out,  dey  tuck'n  go  inter  cahoots  en  kilt  a  cow.  Seem  lak 
I  disremember  who  de  cow  b'long  ter,"  continued  the  old 
man,  frowning  thoughtfully,  and  thus,  by  a  single  stroke, 
imparting  an  air  of  reality  to  the  story ;  "  but  she  sho'ly 
b'long'd  ter  some  er  de  neighbors,  kaze  you  kin  des  put  it 
down,  right  pine-blank,  dat  Brer  Rabbit  aint  gwine  ter 
kill  he  own  cow,  en  needer  is  Brer  Fox. 

"Well,  den,  dey  tuck'n  kilt  a  cow,  en  'twan't  dey  own 
cow,  en  atter  dey  done  skunt  'er  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  'low, 
he  did,  dat  ef  Brer  Fox  wanter  git  de  good  er  de  game, 


290  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

he  better  run  home  en  fetch  a  tray  er  sump'n  fer  put  de 
jiblets  in." 

"  Jiblets,  Uncle  Kemus?" 

"Toobysho',  honey.  Data  w'at  we-all  calls  de  liver, 
de  lights,  de  heart,  en  de  melt.  Some  calls  um  jiblets  en 
some  calls  um  hasletts,  but  ef  you'll  lemme  take  um  en 
kyar'  um  home,  you  kin  des  up  en  call  um  mos'  by  any 
name  w'at  creep  inter  yo'  min'.  You  do  de  namin',  "  the 
old  man  went  on,  smacking  his  lips  suggestively,  "en  I'll 
do  de  eatin',  en  ef  I'm  de  loser,  I  boun'  you  won't  year 
no  complaints  fum  me. 

"But,  law  bless  me  !  w'at  ie  I'm  a  doin'?  De  time's  a 
passin',  en  I'm  aint  skacely  got  start  on  de  tale.  Dey  kilt 
de  cow,  dey  did,  en  Brer  Rabbit  tell  Brer  Fox  'bout  de 
jiblets,  en  w'iles  Brer  Fox  gwine  on  home  atter  de  bucket 
fer  ter  put  um  in,  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  Brer  Rabbit  aint 
bad  ez  he  crackt  up  ter  be.  But  no  sooner  is  Brer  Fox 
outer  sight  dan  Brer  Rabbit  cut  out  de  jiblets,  he  did,  en 
kyar'd  um  off  en  hide  um.  Den  he  come  back  en  tuck  a 
piece  er  de  meat  en  drap  blood  'way  off  de  udder  way. 

Bimeby  yer  come  Brer  Fox  wid  he  bucket,  en  w'en  he 
git  dar  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  settin'  down  cryin'.  Mon,  he  uz 
des  a  boo-hooin'.  Brer  Fox,  he  'low  : 

:f'Name  er  goodness,  Brer  Rabbit !  w'at  de  marter?' 

"Nuff  de  marter  —  miff  de  marter.  I  wish  you'd  a 
stayed  yer  w'iles  you  wuz  yer  —  dat  I  does,  Brer  Fox  ! ' 

' '  How  come,  Brer  Rabbit,  —  how  come  ? ' 

"Man  come,  Brer  Fox,  en  stole  all  yo'  nice  jiblets. 
I  bin  a  runnin'  atter  'im,  Brer  Fox,  but  he  outrun  me.' 


BRO.   RABBIT    LAYS    IN    HIS    BEEF    SUPPLY.      291 

" '  W'ich  away  he  go,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

' '  Yer  de  way  he  went,  Brer  Fox  ;  yer  whar  he  drap  de 
blood.  Ef  you  be  right  peart,  Brer  Fox,  you'll  ketch  'im.' 

"  Brer  Fox  he  drapt  de  bucket,  he  did,  en  put  out  atter 
de  man  w'at  tuck  de  jiblets,  en  he  wan't  out'n  sight  good, 
'fo'  ole  Brer  Rabbit  sail  in  en  cut  out  all  de  fat  en  taller, 
en  kyar'  it  off  en  hide  it.  Atter  w'ile,  yer  come  Brer  Fox 
back  des  a  puffin'  en  a  pantin'.  He  aint  see  no  man. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  hail  'im : 

'  You  aint  come  a  minnit  too  soon,  Brer  Fox,  dat  you 
aint.  Wiles  you  bin  gone  n'er  man  come  'long  en  kyar'd 
off  all  de  taller  en  fat.  He  went  right  off  dat  away,  Brer 
Fox,  en  ef  you'll  be  right  peart,  you'll  ketch  'im.' 

"Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  put  out,  he  did,  en  run,  en  run, 
yit  he  aint  see  no  man.  Wiles  he  done  gone  Brer  Rab- 
bit kyar  off  one  er  de  behime  quarters.  Brer  Fox  come 
back  ;  he  aint  see  no  man.  Brer  Rabbit  holler  en  tell  'im 
dat  ne'r  man  done  come  en  got  a  behime  quarter  en  run'd 
off  wid  it. 

"  Brer  Fox  sorter  study  'bout  dis,  kaze  it  look  lak  no- 
body yuver  see  de  like  er  mens  folks  passin'  by  dat  one 
lonesome  cow.  He  make  out  he  gwine  ter  run  atter  de 
man  w'at  steal  de  behime  quarter,  but  he  aint  git  fur  'fo'  he 
tuck'n  tu'n  'roun'  en  crope  back,  en  he  'uz  des  in  time  fer  ter 
see  Brer  Rabbit  makin'  off  wid  de  yuther  behime  quarter. 
Brer  Fox  mighty  tired  widrunnin'  hetheren  yan,  en  back- 
ards  en  forrerds,  but  he  git  so  mad  w'en  he  see  Brer 
Rabbit  gwine  off  dat  a  way,  dat  he  dash  up  en  ax  'im  whar 
is  he  gwine  wid  dat  ar  beef. 


292  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"Brer  Rabbit  lay  de  beef  down,  he  did,  en  look  lak  he 
feelins  hurted.  He  look  at  Brer  Fox  lak  he  feel  mighty- 
sorry  fer  folks  w'at  kin  ax  foolish  questions  lak  dat.  He 
shake  he  head,  he  did,  en  'low : 

"'Well,  well,  well!  Who'd  a  thunk  dat  Brer  Fox 
would  a  come  axin'  me  'bout  dish  yer  beef,  w'ich  anybody 
would  er  know'd  I  'uz  a  kyar'n  off  fer  ter  save  fer  'im,  so 
nobody  couldn't  git  it  ?  ' 

"  But  dish  yer  kinder  talk  don't  suit  Brer  Fox,  en  he 
tuck'n  make  a  motion  'zef 1  ter  ketch  Brer  Rabbit,  but  Brer 
Rabbit  he  'gun  'im  leg  bail,  en  dar  dey  had  it  thoo  de 
woods  twel  Brer  Rabbit  come  'pon  a  holler  tree,  en  inter 
dat  he  went,  des  lak  one  er  deze  streaked  lizzuds  goes 
inter  a  hole  in  de  san'." 

"And  then,"  said  the  little  boy,  as  Uncle  Remus 
paused,  "  along  came  Brother  Buzzard,  and  Brother  Fox 
set  him  to  watch  the  hole,  and  Brother  Rabbit  said  he 
had  found  a  fat  squirrel  which  he  would  run  out  on  the 
other  side ;  and  then  he  came  out  and  ran  home." 

This  was  the  climax  of  a  story  that  Uncle  Remus  had 
told  a  long  time  before,  and  he  looked  at  his  little  partner 
with  astonishment  not  unmixed  with  admiration. 

"  I 'clar'  ter  gracious,  honey!"  he  exclaimed,  "ef  yu 
hoi's  on  ter  yo'  pra'r's  lak  you  does  ter  deze  yer  tales  youer 
doin'  mighty  well.  But  don't  you  try  ter  hoi'  Brer  Rab- 
bit down  ter  one  trick,  you  won't  never  keep  up  wid  'im 
in  de  'roun'  worl'  —  dat  you  won't. 


lAsif. 


BROTHER    RABBIT    AND    MR.    WILDCAT.  298 

"  Ole  Brer  Buzzard  wiiz  dar,  en  Brer  Fox  ax  'im  fer  ter 
watch  de  hole,  but  he  aint  bin  dar  long  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit 
sing  out : 

' '  I  got  de  Vantage  im  you,  dis  whet,  Brer  Buzzard,  I 
sho'ly  is.' 

"  ' How  dat,  Brer  Rabbit?* 
'  Kaze  I  kin  see  you,  en  you  can't  see  me.' 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Buzzard  stuck  he  head  in  de  hole,  en 
look  up,  en  no  sooner  is  he  do  dis  dan  Brer  Rabbit  fill  he 
eyes  full  er  san',  en  w'iles  he  gone  ter  de  branch  fer  ter 
wash  it  out,  Brer  Rabbit  he  come  down  outer  de  holler, 
en  went  back  ter  whar  de  cow  wuz  ;  en  mo'  dan  dat,  Brer 
Rabbit  got  de  ballunce  un  de  beef." 


XLVIII. 
BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MR.    WILDCAT. 

"UNCLE  REMUS,"  said  the  little  boy,  after  a  pause, 
"  where  did  Brother  Rabbit  go  when  he  got  out  of  the 
hollow  tree  ?  " 

"Well,  sir,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  "you  aint 
gwine  ter  b'leeve  me,  skacely,  but  dat  owdashus  creetur 
aint  no  sooner  git  out  er  dat  ar  tree  dan  he  go  en  git  hisse'f 
mix  up  wid  some  mo'  trouble,  w'ich  he  git  mighty  nigh 
skeer'd  out'n  he  skin. 

"  W'en  Brer  Rabbit  git  out'n  de  holler  tree,  he  tuck'n 


294  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

fling  some  sass  back  at  ole  Brer  Buzzard,  he  did,  en  den 
he  put  out  down  de  big  road,  stidder  gwine  'long  back 
home  en  see  'bout  he  fambly.  He  'uz  gwine  'long  — 
liclcety-clickety,  cliclcety-lickety  —  w'en  fus  news  you 
know  he  feel  sump'n  n'er,  drap  down  'pun  'im,  en  dar  he 
wuz.  Bless  yo*  soul,  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  kin  git  he  'mem- 
bunce  terge'er,  he  feel  ole  Mr.  Wildcat  a  huggin'  'im  fum 
behime,  en  w'ispun  in  he  year." 

"What  did  he  whisper,  Uncle  Remus?"  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"Dis,  dat'  en  de  udder,  one  thing  en  a  nudder." 

"But  what  did  he  say?" 

"  De  way  un  it  wuz  dis,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  ignoring 
the  child's  question,  "Brer  Rabbit,  he  'uz  gallin-up  down 
de  road,  en  old  Mr.  Wildcat,  he  uz  layin'  stretch'  out 
takin'  a  nap  on  a  tree-lim'  hangin'  'crosst  de  road.  He 
year  Brer  Rabbit  come  a  lickity-clickitin'  down  de  road,  en 
he  des  sorter  fix  hisse'f,  en  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  come  a 
dancin'  und'  de  Km',  all  Mr.  Wildcat  got  ter  do  is  ter 
drap  right  down  on  'im,  en  dar  he  wuz.  Mr.  Wildcat 
hug  'im  right  up  at  'im,  en  laugh  en  w'isper  in  he  year." 

"Well,  Uncle  Remus,  what  did  he  say?"  persisted  the 
little  boy. 

The  old  man  made  a  sweeping  gesture  with  his  left 
hand  that  might  mean  everything  or  nothing,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  tell  the  story  in  his  own  way. 

"  Ole  Mr.  Wildcat  hug  Brer  Rabbit  up  close  en  w'isper 
in  he  year.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  kick,  he  squall.  Bimeby 
he  ketch  he  breff  en  'low : 


BROTHER    RABBIT    AND    MR.   WILDCAT.  295 

f '  Ow  !  O  Lordy-lordy  !  Wat  I  done  gone  en  done 
now?' 

"  Mr.  Wildcat,  he  rub  he  wet  nose  on  Brer  Rabbit  year, 
en  make  cole  chill  run  up  he  back.  Bimeby  he  say : 

' '  O  Brer  Rabbit,  I  des  natally  loves  you  !  You  bin 
a-foolin'  all  er  my  cousins  en  all  er  my  kinfolks,  en  taint 
bin  so  mighty  long  sence  you  set  Cousin  Fox  on  me,  en 
little  mo'  en  I'd  a-to'  'im  in  two.  O  Brer  Rabbit !  I  des 
natally  loves  you,'  sezee. 

"  Den  he  laugh,  en  he  toofs  strak  terge'er  right  close  ter 
Brer  Rabbit  year.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low,  he  did  : 

' f  Law,  Mr.  Wildcat,  I  thunk  maybe  you  mought  lak 
ter  have  Brer  Fox  fer  supper,  en  dat  de  reason  I  sent  'im 
up  ter  whar  you  is.  Hit  done  come  ter  mighty  purty  pass 
w'en  folks  can't  be  fr'en's  'ceppin'  sump'n  n'er  step  in 
'twix'  en  'tween  um,  en  ef  dat  de  case  I  aint  gwine  ter  be 
fr'en's  no  mo'  —  dat  I  aint.' 

"  Mr.  Wildcat  wipe  he  nose  on  Brer  Rabbit  year,  en 
he  do  sorter  lak  he  studyin'.  Brer  Rabbit  he  keep  on 
talkin'.  He  'low : 

* '  Endurin'  er  all  dis  time,  is  I  ever  pester  'long  wid 
you,  Mr.  Wildcat?' 

r?  No,  Brer  Rabbit,  I  can't  say  ez  you  is.' 

"'No,  Mr.  Wildcat,  dat  I  aint.  Let  'lone  dat,  I  done 
my  level  bes'  fer  ter  he'p  you  out.  En  dough  you  done 
jump  on  me  en  skeer  me  scan'lous,  yit  I'm  willin'  ter  do 
you  n'er  good  tu'n.  I  year  some  wild  turkeys  yelpin'  out 
yan',  en  ef  you'll  des  lem  me  off  dis  time,  I'll  go  out  dar 
en  call  um  up,  en  you  kin  make  lak  you  dead,  en 


296  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

dey'll  come  up  en  stretch  dey  neck  over  you,  en  you  kin 
jump  up  en  kill  a  whole  passel  un  um  'fo'  dey  kin  git  out 
de  way.' 

"Mr.  Wildcat  stop  en  study,  kaze  ef  dey  er  one 
kinder  meat  w'at  he  lak  dat  meat  is  turkey  meat.  Den 
he  tuck'n  ax  Brer  Rabbit  is  he  joki^i'.  Brer  Rabbit  say 
ef  he  'uz  settin'  off  some'rs  by  he  own-'lone  se'f  he  mought 
be  jokin',  but  how  de  name  er  goodness  is  he  kin  joke 
w'en  Mr.  Wildcat  got  'iin  hug  up  so  tight  ?  Dis  look  so 
pleezy-plozzy1  dat  'twan't  long  'fo'  Mr.  Wildcat  'low  dat 
he  'uz  mighty  willin'  ef  Brer  Rabbit  mean  w'at  he  say,  en 
atter  w'ile,  bless  yo'  soul,  ef  you'd  a-come  'long  dar, 
you'd  er  seed  ole  Mr.  Wildcat  layin'  stretch  out  on  de 
gromT  lookin'  fer  all  de  wul'  des  lak  he  done  bin  dead  a 
mont',  en  you'd  er  yeard  ole  Brer  Rabbit  a  yelpin'  out  in 
de  bushes  des  lak  a  sho  nuff  tukky-hen." 

The  little  boy  was  always  anxious  for  a  practical  dem- 
onstration, and  he  asked  Uncle  Remus  how  Brother 
Rabbit  could  yelp  like  a  turkey-hen.  For  reply,  Uncle 
Remus  searched  upon  his  rude  mantel-piece  until  he  found 
a  reed,  which  he  intended  to  use  as  a  pipe-stem.  One  end 
of  this  he  placed  in  his  mouth,  enclosing  the  other  in  his 
hands.  By  sucking  the  air  through  the  reed  with  his 
mouth,  and  regulating  the  tone  and  volume  by  opening  or 
closing  his  hands,  the  old  man  was  able  to  produce  a 
marvellous  imitation  of  the  call  of  the  turkey-hen,  much  to 
the  delight  and  astonishment  of  the  little  boy. 

1  No  doubt  this  means  that  Brother  Rabbit's  proposition  was  pleasant  and 
plausible. 


BROTHER    RABBIT    AND    MR.   WILDCAT.          207 

"Ah,  Lord!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Kemus,  after  he  had 
repeated  the  call  until  the  child  was  satisfied,  "  manys  en 
many s  de  time  is  I  gone  out  in  de  woods  wid  old  marster 
'fo'  de  crack  er  day  en  call  de  wile  turkeys  right  spang  up 
ter  whar  we  could  er  kilt  urn  wid  a  stick.  Wen  we  fus 
move  yer  fum  Ferginny,  dey  use  ter  come  right  up  ter 
whar  de  barn  sets,  en  mo'n  dat  I  done  seed  ole  marster 
kill  um  right  out  dar  by  de  front  gate.  But  folks  fum  town 
been  comin'  'roun'  yer  wid  der  p'inter  dogs  twel  hit  done 
got  so  dat  ef  you  wanter  see  turkey  track  you  gotter  go 
down  dar  ter  de  Oconee,  en  dat's  two  mile  off." 

"Did  the  Wildcat  catch  the  turkeys?"  the  little  boy 
inquired,  when  it  seemed  that  Uncle  Remus  was  about  to 
give  his  entire  attention  to  his  own  reminiscences. 

"  De  gracious  en  de  goodness  !  "  exclaimed  the  old  man. 
"  Yer  I  is  runnin'  on  en  dar  lays  Mr.  Wildcat  waitin'  fer 
Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  yelp  dem  turkeys  up.  En  'taint  take 
'im  long  nudder,  kaze,  bless  yo'  soul,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  wuz 
a  yelper,  mon. 

"  Sho  nuff,  atter  w'ile  yer  dey  come,  ole  Brer  Gibley 
Gobbler  wukkin'  in  de  lead.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  run'd  en 
meet  um  en  gun  um  de  wink  'bout  ole  Mr.  Wildcat,  en 
by  de  time  dey  git  up  ter  whar  he  lay  in',  Brer  Gibley 
Gobbler  en  all  his  folks  wuz  jined  in  a  big  'spute.  One 
'low  he  dead,  n'er  one  'low  he  aint,  n'er  one  'low  he  stiff, 
udder  one  'low  he  aint,  en  t'udder  'low  he  is.  So  dar  dey 
had  it.  Dey  stretch  out  dey  neck  en  step  high  wid  dey 
foot,  yit  dey  aint  git  too  close  ter  Mr.  Wildcat. 

"  He  lay  dar,  he  did,  en  he  aint  move.     Win'  ruffle  up 


298  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

he  ha'r,  yit  he  aint  move ;  sun  shine  down  'pun  'im,  yit 
he  aint  move.  De  turkeys  dey  gobble  en  dey  yelp,  but 
dey  aint  go  no  nigher ;  dey  holler  en  dey  'spute,  but  dey 
aint  go  no  nigher ;  dey  stretch  dey  neck  en  dey  liP  dey 
foot  high,  yit  dey  aint  go  no  nigher. 

"  Hit  keep  on  dis  away,  twel  bimeby  Mr.  Wildcat  git 
tired  er  waitin',  en  he  jump  up,  he  did,  en  make  a  dash  at 
de  nighest  turkey ;  but  dat  turkey  done  fix,  en  w'en  Mr. 
Wildcat  come  at  'im,  he  des  riz  in  de  a'r,  en  Mr.  Wildcat 
run  und'  'im.  Den  he  tuck'n  run  at  n'er  one,  en  dat  un 
fly  up ;  en  dey  keep  on  dat  away  twel  'twan't  long  'fo' 
Mr.  Wildcat  wuz  so  stiff  in  de  j'ints  en  so  short  in  de  win' 
dat  he  des  hatter  lay  down  on  de  groun'  en  res',  en  w'en 
he  do  dis,  ole  Brer  Gibley  Gobbler  en  all  er  he  folks  went 
on  'bout  dey  own  business  ;  but  sence  dat  day  deyer  con- 
stant a  'sputin'  'long  wid  deyse'f  en  eve'ybody  w'at  come  by. 
Ef  you  don't  b'leeve  me,"  with  an  air  of  disposing  of  the 
whole  matter  judicially,  "you  kin  des  holler  at  de  fus' 
Gobbler  w'at  you  meets,  en  ef  he  'fuse  ter  holler  back 
atter  you,  you  kin  des  use  my  head  fer  a  hole  in  de  wall  \ 
en  w'at  mo'  kin  you  ax  dan  dat  ?  " 

"What  became  of  Brother  Rabbit,  Uncle  Remus?" 
"Well,  sir,  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  lef  dem  low-groun's. 
Wiles  de  'sputin'  wuz  gwine  on,  he  tuck'n  bowed  his 
goodbyes,  en  den  he  des  put  out  fum  dar.  Nex'  day  ole 
Brer  Gibley  Gobbler  tuck'n  sent  'im  a  turkey  wing  fer  ter 
make  a  fan  out'n,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  sent  it  ter 
Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals.  En  I  let  you  know,"  contin- 
ued the  old  man,  chuckling  heartily  to  himself,  "  dey  make 
great  'miration  'bout  it." 


MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  DEFENDS   HIMSELF.         299 


XLIX. 
MR.   BENJAMIN  RAM  DEFENDS   HIMSELF. 

"  I  SPECK  we  all  dun  gone  en  fergot  ole  Mr.  Benjermun 
Ram  oiFn  our  min',"  said  Uncle  Remus,  one  night,  as  the 
little  boy  went  into  the  cabin  with  a  large  ram's  horn  hang- 
ing on  his  arm. 

"  About  his  playing  the  fiddle  and  getting  lost  in  the 
woods  ! "  exclaimed  the  child.  "  Oh,  no,  I  haven't  for- 
gotten him,  Uncle  Remus.  I  remember  just  how  he  tuned 
his  fiddle  in  Brother  Wolfs  house." 

"  Dat's  me  ! "  said  Uncle  Remus  with  enthusiasm  ;  "  dat's 
me  up  en  down.  Mr.  Ram  des  ez  fresh  in  my  min'  now 
ez  he  wuz  de  day  I  year  de  tale.  Dat  ole  creetur  wuz  a 
sight,  mon.  He  mos'  sho'ly  wuz.  He  wrinkly  ole  hawn 
en  de  shaggy  ha'r  on  he  neck  make  'im  look  mighty  ser- 
vigous,1  en  w'ence  he  shake  he  head  en  snort,  hit  seem 
lak  he  gwine  ter  fair  paw  de  yeth  fum  und'  'im. 

"  Old  Brer  Fox  bin  pickin'  up  ole  Mr;  Benjermun  Ram 
chilluns  w'en  dey  git  too  fur  fum  home,  but  look  lak  he 
aint  never  bin  git  close  ter  de  ole  creetur. 

"  So  one  time  w'en  he  'uz  comin'  on  down  de  road, 


1  Wild ;  fierce ;  dangerous ;  courageous.  The  accent  is  on  the  second  sylla- 
ble, ser-w-gous ;  or,  ser-w-gus,  and  the  g  is  hard.  Aunt  Tempy  would  have 
said  "  vigrous." 


300  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

talkin'  'long  wid  Brer  Wolf,  he  up'n  'low,  old  Brer  Fox 
did,  dat  he  mighty  hongry  in  de  neighborhoods  er  de 
stomach.  Dis  make  Brer  Wolf  look  lak  he  'stonish'd,  en 
he  ax  Brer  Fox  how  de  name  er  goodness  come  he  hongry 
w'en  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  layin'  up  dar  in  de  house 
des  a  rollin'  in  fat. 

"Den  Brer  Fox  tuck'n  'low,  he  did,  dat  he  done  bin  in 
de  habits  er  eatin'  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  chillun,  but  he 
sorter  fear'd  er  de  ole  creetur  kaze  he  look  so  bad  on  de 
'count  er  he  red  eye  en  he  wrinkly  hawn. 

"  Brer  Wolf  des  holler  en  laugh,  en  den  he  'low  : 

c  r  Lordy,  Brer  Fox  !  I  dunner  w'at  kinder  man  is  you, 
nohow  !  W'y,  dat  ar  ole  creetur  aint  never  hurted  a  flea 
in  all  he  born  days  — dat  he  aint,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  look  at  Brer  Wolf  right  hard,  he  did, 
»«n  den  he  up'n  'low  : 

f  e  Heyo,  Brer  Wolf !  manys  de  time  dat  you  bin  hongry 
'roun'  in  deze  diggin's  en  I  aint  year  talk  er  you  makin'  a 
meal  off'n  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Fox  talk  so  close  ter  de  fatal  trufe,  dat  Brer 
Wolf  got  tooken  wid  de  dry  grins,  yit  he  up'n  'spon', 
sezee : 

' ?  I  des  lak  ter  know  who  in  de  name  er  goodness  wanter 
eat  tough  creetur  lak  dat  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  —  dat 
w'at  I  lak  ter  know,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  holler  en  laugh,  he  did,  en  den  he  up'n 
say : 

' '  Ah-yi,  Brer  Wolf !  You  ax  me  w'at  I  goes  hongry 
fer,  w?en  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  up  dar  in  he  house,  yit 


MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  DEFENDS   HIMSELF.          301 

you  done  bin  hongiy  manys  en  manys  de  time,  en  still  ole 
Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  up  dar  in  he  house.  Now,  den,  how 
you  gwine  do  in  a  case  lak  dat?'  sez  Brer  Fox,  sezee. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  strak  de  e'en  er  he  cane  down  'pun  de 
groun',  en  he  say,  sezee : 

1  *  I  done  say  all  I  got  ter  say,  en  w'at  I  say,  dat  I'll 
stick  ter.  Dat  ole  creetur  lots  too  tough.' 

"  Hongry  ez  he  is,  Brer  Fox  laugh  way  down  in  he 
stomach.  Atter  w'ile  he  'low  : 

'  Well,  den,  Brer  Wolf,  stidder  'sputin'  'longer  you, 
I'm  gwine  do  w'at  you  say  ;  I'm  gwine  ter  go  up  dar  en  git 
a  bait  er  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  en  I  wish  you  be  so 
good  ez  ter  go  'long  wid  me  fer  comp'ny,'  sez^ee. 

"  Brer  Wolf  jaw  sorter  fall  w'en  he  year  dis,  en  he 
'low: 

' '  Eh-eh,  Brer  Fox  !  I  druther  go  by  my  own  'lone 
se'f,'  sezee. 

'"Well,  den,'  sez  Brer  Fox,  sezee,  'you  better  make 
'as'e,'  sezee,  '  kaze  taint  gwine  ter  take  me  so  mighty  long 
fer  ter  go  up  dar  en  make  hash  out'n  old  Mr.  Benjermun 
Ram,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Wolf  know  mighty  well,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
snapping  his  huge  tongs  in  order  to  silence  a  persistent 
cricket  in  the  chimney,  "  dat  ef  he  dast  ter  back  out  furn 
a  banter  lak  dat  he  never  is  ter  year  de  las'  un  it  fum  Miss 
Meadows  en  Miss  Motts  en  de  gals,  en  he  march  offtodes 
Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  house. 

"  Little  puff  er  win'  come  en  blow'd  up  some  leafs,  en 
Brer  Wolf  jump  lak  somebody  shootin'  at  'im,  en  he  fly 


302  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  KEMUS. 

mighty  mad  w'en  he  year  Brer  Fox  laugh.  He  men'  he 
gait,  he  did,  en  'twan't  'long  'fo'  he  'uz  knockin'  at  Mr. 
Benjermun  Kam  do*. 

"  He  knock  at  de  do',  he  did,  en  co'se  he  speck  some- 
body fer  ter  come  open  de  do',  but  stidder  dat,  lo'  en  be- 
holes  yer  come  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  'roun'  de  house. 
Dar  he  wuz  —  red  eye,  wrinkly  hawn  en  shaggy  head. 
Now,  den,  in  case  lak  dat,  w'at  a  slim-legged  man  lak 
Brer  Wolf  gwine  do?  Dey  aint  no  two  ways,  he  gwine 
ter  git  'way  fum  dar,  en  he  went  back  ter  whar  Brer  Fox 
is  mo'  samer  dan  ef  de  patter-rollers  wuz  atter  'im. 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  laugh  en  he  laugh,  en  ole  Brer  Wolf,  he 
look  mighty,  glum.  Brer  Fox  ax  'im  is  he  done  kilt  en 
e't  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  en  ef  so  be,  is  he  lef  any  fer 
him.  Brer  Wolf  say  he  aint  feelin'  well,  en  he  don't  lak 
mutton  nohow.  Brer  Fox  'low  : 

'  You  may  be  puny  in  de  min',  Brer  Wolf,  but  you 
aint  feelin'  bad  in  de  leg,  kaze  I  done  seed  you  wuk  urn.' 

"  Brer  Wolf  'low  he  des  a  runnin'  fer  ter  see  ef  twont 
mak  'im  feel  better.  Brer  Fox,  he  say,  sezee,  dat  w'en  he 
feelin'  puny,  he  aint  ax  no  mo'  dan  fer  somebody  fer  ter 
git  out  de  way  en  let  'im  lay  down. 

"  Dey  went  on  in  dis  away,  dey  did,  twel  bimeby  Brer 
Fox  ax  Brer  Wolf  ef  he'll  go  wid  'im  fer  ter  ketch  Mr. 
Benjermun  Ram.  Brer  Wolf,  he  'low,  he  did  : 

" '  Eh-eh,  Brer  Fox  !  I  fear'd  you'll  run  en  lef  me  dar 
fer  ter  do  all  de  fightinV 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  'low  dat  he'll  fix  dat,  en  he  tuck'n  got 
'im  a  plough-line,  en  tied  one  een'  ter  Brer  Wolf  en  t'er  een' 


MR.    BENJAMIN  RAM  DEFENDS   HIMSELF.         303 

ter  he  own  se'f.  Wid  dat  dey  put  out  fer  Mr.  Benjermun 
Ram  house.  Brer  Wolf,  he  sorter  hang  back,  but  he 
'shame'  fer  ter  say  he  skeer'd,  en  dey  went  on  en  went  on 
plum  twel  dey  git  right  spang  up  ter  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram 
house. 

"  Wen  dey  git  dar,  de  ole  creetur  wuz  settin'  out  in  de 
front  po'ch  sorter  sunnin'  his  se'f.  He  see  um  comin',  en 
w'en  dey  git  up  in  hailin'  distance,  he  sorter  cle'r  up  he 
th'oat,  he  did,  en  holler  out : 

"  I  much  'blije  to  you,  Brer  Fox,  fer  ketchin'  dat  ow- 
dashus  vilyun  en  fetchin'  'im  back.  My  smoke-'ouse 
runnin'  short,  en  I'll  des  chop  'im  up  en  pickle  'im.  Fetch 
'im  in,  Brer  Fox  !  fetch  'im  in  ! ' 

"  Des  'bout  dat  time  ole  Miss  Ram  see  dem  creeturs 
a-comin',  en  gentermens  !  you  mought  er  yeard  er  blate 
plum  ter  town.  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  he  sorter  skeer'd 
hisse'f,  but  he  keep  on  talkin' : 

' '  Fetch  'im  in,  Brer  Fox  !  fetch  'im  in  !  Don't  you  year 
my  ole  'oman  cryin'  fer  'im  ?  She  aint  had  no  wolf  meat  now 
in  gwine  on  mighty  nigh  a  mont'.  Fetch  'im  in,  Brer 
Fox  !  fetch  'im  in  I ' 

"Fus'  Brer  Wolf  try  ter  ontie  hisse'f,  den  he  tuck'n 
broke  en  run'd,  en  he  drag  ole  Brer  Fox  atter  'im  des  lak 
he  aint  weigh  mo'n  a  poun',  en  I  let  you  know  hit  'uz  many 
a  long  day  'fo'  Brer  Fox  git  well  er  de  thumpin'  he  got." 

"Uncle  Remus,"  said  the  little  boy  after  a  while,  "I 
thought  wolves  always  caught  sheep  when  they  had  the 
chance." 

"  Dey   ketches  lam's,  honey,  but  bless  yo'  soul !    dey 


304  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

aint  ketch  deze  yer  ole-time  Rams  wid  red  eye  en  wrinkly 
hawn." 

"  Where  was  Brother  Eabbit  all  this  time  ?  " 
"  Now,  den,  honey,  don't  less  pester  wid  ole  Brer  Rab- 
bit right  now.  Des  less  gin  'im  one  night  rest,  mo'  spesh- 
ually  w'en  I  year  de  seven  stares  say  yo'  bed-time  done 
come.  Des  take  yo'  foot  in  yo'  han'  en  put  right  out  'fo' 
Miss  Sally  come  a  callin'  you,  kaze  den  she'll  say  I'm  a 
settin'  yer  a  noddin'  en  not  takin'  keer  un  you." 

The  child  laughed  and  ran  up  the  path  to  the  big-house, 
stopping  a  moment  on  the  way  to  mimic  a  bull-frog  that 
was  bellowing  at  a  tremendous  rate  near  the  spring. 


L. 


BROTHER     RABBIT     PRETENDS     TO     BE 
POISONED. 

NOT  many  nights  after  the  story  of  how  Mr.  Benjamin 
Ram  frightened  Brother  Wolf  and  Brother  Fox,  the  little 
boy  found  himself  in  Uncle  Remus's  cabin.  It  had  occurred 
to  him  that  Mr.  Ram  should  have  played  on  his  fiddle 
somewhere  in  the  tale,  and  Uncle  Remus  was  called  on  to 
explain.  He  looked  at  the  little  boy  with  an  air  of  grieved 
astonishment,  and  exclaimed : 

"Well,  I  be  bless  if  I  ever  year  der  beat  er  dat.  Yer 
you  bin  a-persooin'  on  atter  deze  yer  creeturs  en  makin'  der 


BRO.   BABBIT  PRETENDS  TO   BE   POISONED.      305 

'quaintunce,  en  yit  look  lak  ef  you  'uz  ter  meet  um  right 
up  dar  in  der  pafF  you'd  fergit  all  'bout  who  dey  is." 

"Oh,  no,  I  wouldn't,  Uncle  Remus!"  protested  the 
child,  glancing  at  the  door  and  getting  a  little  closer  to 
the  old  man. 

"  Yasser  !  you'd  des  natally  whirl  in  en  forgit  'bout  who 
dey  is.  Taint  so  mighty  long  sence  I  done  tole  you  'bout 
ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  playin'  he  fiddle  at  Brer  Wolf 
house,  en  yer  you  come  en  ax  me  how  come  he  don't  take 
en  play  it  at  'im  'g'in.  Wat  kinder  lookin'  sight  'ud  dat 
ole  creetur  a-bin  ef  he'd  jump  up  en  grab  he  fiddle  en  go 
ter  playin'  on  it  eve'y  time  he  year  a  fuss  down  de  big 
road?" 

The  little  boy  said  nothing,  but  he  thought  the  story 
would  have  been  a  great  deal  nicer  if  Mr.  Benjamin  Ram 
could  have  played  one  of  the  old-time  tunes  on  his  fiddle, 
and  while  he  was  thinking  about  it,  the  door  opened  and 
Aunt  Tempy  made  her  appearance.  Her  good-humor 
was  infectious. 

"  Name  er  goodness  !  "  she  exclaimed,  "  I  lef  you  all 
settin'  yer  way  las'  week  ;  I  goes  off  un  I  does  my  wuk,  un  I 
comes  back,  un  I  fines  you  settin'  right  whar  I  leP  you. 
Goodness  knows,  I  dunner  whar  you  gits  yo'  vittles.  I 
dunner  whar  I  aint  bin  sence  I  lef  you  all  settin'  yer.  I 
let  you  know  I  bin  a-usin'  my  feet  un  I  been  a-usin'  my 
han's.  Dat's  me.  No  use  ter  ax  howyou  all  is,  kaze  you 
looks  lots  better'n  me." 

"  Yas,  Sis  Tempy,  we  er  settin'  yer  whar  you  lef 'us,  en 
der  Lord,  he  bin  a  pervidin'.  Wen  de  vittles  don't  come 


306  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

in  at  de  do'  hit  come  down  de  chimbly ,  en  so  w'at  de  odds  ? 
We  er  sorter  po'ly,  Sis  Tempy,  I'm  'blige  ter  you.  You 
know  w'at  de  jay-bird  say  ter  der  squinch-owl !  ?  I'm 
sickly  but  sassy.' " 

Aunt  Tempy  laughed  as  she  replied  :  "  I  speck  you  all 
bin  a  havin'  lots  er  fun.  Goodness  knows  I  wish  many  a 
time  sence  I  bin  gone  dat  I  'uz  settin'  down  yer  runnin'  on 
wid  you  all.  I  aint  bin  gone  fur — dat's  so,  yit  Mistiss 
put  me  ter  cuttin'-out,  un  I  tell  you  now  dem  w'at  cuts  out 
de  duds  fer  all  de  niggers  on  dis  place  is  got  ter  wuk 
fum  soon  in  de  mawnin'  plum  tell  bed-time,  dey  aint  no 
two  ways.  Taint  no  wuk  youk'n  kyar'  'bout  wid  you 
needer,  kaze  you  got  ter  spread  it  right  out  on  de  flo'  un' 
git  down  on  yo'  knees.  I  mighty  glad  I  done  wid  it,  kaze 
my  back  feel  like  it  done  broke  in  a  thous'n  pieces. 
Honey,  is  Brer  Remus  bin  a-tellin'  you  some  mo'  er  dem 
ole-time  tales?" 

Aunt  Tempy's  question  gave  the  little  boy  an  excuse 
for  giving  her  brief  outlines  of  some  of  the  stories.  One 
that  he  seemed  to  remember  particularly  well  was  the  story 
of  how  Brother  Rabbit  and  Brother  Fox  killed  a  cow,  and 
how  Brother  Rabbit  got  the  most  and  the  best  of  the  beef. 

"  I  done  year  talk  uv  a  tale  like  dat,"  exclaimed  Aunt 
Tempy,  laughing  heartily,  "  but  'taint  de  same  tale.  I 
mos'  'shame'  ter  tell  it." 

"  You  gittin'  too  ole  ter  be  blushin',  Sis  Tempy,"  said 
Uncle  Remus  with  dignity. 

"  Well  den, "said  Aunt  Tempy,  wiping  her  fat  face  with 
her  apron  :  "  One  time  Brer  Rabbit  un  Brer  Wolf  tuck'n 


BRO.   RABBIT  PRETENDS   TO  BE   POISONED.       307 

gone  off  som'ers  un  kilt  a  cow,  un  w'en  dey  come  fer  ter 
vide  out  de  kyarkiss,  Brer  Wolf  'low  dat  bein's  he  de 
biggest  he  oughter  have  de  mos',  un  he  light  in,  he  did,  un 
do  like  he  gwine  ter  take  it  all.  Brer  Rabbit  do  like  he 
don't  keer  much,  but  he  keer  so  bad  hit  make  'im  right  sick. 
He  tuck'n  walk  all  'roun'  de  kyarkiss,  he  did,  un  snuff  de 
air,  un  terreckly  he  say : 

"'Brer  Wolf!  —  O  Brer  Wolf!  — is  dis  meat  smell 
'zuckly  right  ter  you  ? ' 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  cuttin'  un  he  kyarvin'  un  he  aint  sayin' 
nothin'.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  walk  all  'roun'  un  'roun'  de 
kyarkiss.  He  feel  it  un  he  kick  it.  Terreckly  he  say : 

"'Brer  Wolf  !  —  O  Brer  Wolf  I— Dis  meat  feel 
mighty  flabby  ter  me  ;  how  it  feel  ter  you  ? ' 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  year  all  dat's  said,  but  he  keep  on  a 
cuttin'  un  a  kyarvin'.  Brer  Rabbit  say  : 

"'You  kin  talk  er  not  talk,  Brer  Wolf,  des  ez  youer 
min'  ter,  yit  ef  I  aint  mistooken  in  de  sign,  you'll  do 
some  tall  talkin'  'fo'  youer  done  wid  dis  beef.  Now  you 
mark  w'at  I  tell  you  ! ' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  put  out  fum  dar,  en  'twan't  long  'fo'  yer 
he  come  back  wid  a  chunk  er  fier,  un  a  dish  er  salt. 
W'en  Brer  Wolf  see  dis,  he  say  : 

'  Wat  you  gwine  do  wid  all  dat,  Brer  Rabbit?  ' 

Brer  Rabbit  laugh  like  he  know  mo'  dan  he  gwine  tell, 
en  he  say  : 

"Bless  yo'  soul,  Brer  Wolf!  I  aint  gwine  ter  kyar  er 
poun'  er  dis  meat  home  tell  I  fin'  out  w'at  de  matter  wid 
it.  No  I  aint  —  so  dar  now  !  ' 


308  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit  built  'im  a  fier  un  cut  'im  off  a  slishe 
er  steak  un  br'ilte  it  good  un  done,  un  den  he  e't  little  uv 
it.  Fus'  he'd  tas'e  un  den  he'd  nibble ;  den  he'd  nibble 
un  den  he'd  tas'e.  He  keep  on  tell  he  e't  right  smart 
piece.  Den  he  went'n  sot  off  little  ways  like  he  waitin' 
fer  sump'n. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  kyarve  un  he  cut,  but  he  keep  one  eye 
on  Brer  Rabbit.  Brer  Rabbit  sot  up  dar  same  ez  Judge 
on  de  bench.  Brer  Wolf,  he  watch  his  motions.  Terreckly 
Brer  Rabbit  fling  bofe  han's  up  ter  he  head  un  fetch  a 
groan.  Brer  Wolf  cut  un  kyarve  un  watch  Brer  Rabbit 
motions.  Brer  Rabbit  sorter  sway  backerds  un  forrerds  en 
fetch  n'er  groan.  Den  he  sway  fum  side  to  side  en  holler 
'  O  Lordy  ! '  Brer  Wolf,  he  sorter  'gun  ter  git  skeer'd  un 
he  ax  Brer  Rabbit  w'at  de  matter.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  roll 
on  de  groun'  en  holler  : 

" '  O  Lordy,  Lordy  !  I'm  pizen'd,  I'm  pizen'd  !  O 
Lordy  !  I'm  pizen'd  !  Run  yer,  somebody,  run  yer  !  De 
meat  done  got  pizen  on  it.  Oh,  do  run  yer  ! ' 

"  Brer  Wolf  git  so  skeer'd  dat  he  put  out  fum  dar,  un 
he  want  out  er  sight  skacely  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit  jump  up  fum 
dar  un  cut  de  pidjin-wing,  un  'twan't  so  mighty  long  atter 
dat  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit  done  put  all  er  dat  beef  in  his  smoke- 
house." 

"  What  became  of  Brother  Wolf? "  the  little  boy  in- 
quired. 

"  Brer  Wolf  went  atter  de  doctor,"  continued  Aunt 
Tempy,  making  little  tucks  in  her  apron,  "un  w'en  he 
come  back  Brer  Rabbit  un  de  beef  done  gone ;  un,  bless 


BRO.   RABBIT  PRETENDS   TO  BE  POISONED.      309 

goodness,  ef  it  hadn't  er  binfer  de  sign  whar  Brer  Rabbit 
built  de  fier,  Brer  Wolf  would  er  bin  mightly  pester'd  fer 
ter  fine  der  place  whar  de  cow  bin  kilt." 

At  this  juncture,  'Tildy,  the  house-girl,  came  in  to  tell 
Aunt  Tempy  that  one  of  the  little  negroes  had  been  taken 
suddenly  sick. 

"I  bin  huntin' fer  you  over  de  whole  blessid  place," 
said  'Tildy. 

"No  you  aint — no  you  aint.  You  aint  bin  huntin' 
no  whar.  You  know'd  mighty  well  whar  I  wuz." 

"La.w,  Mam'  Tempy,  I  can't  keep  up  wid  you.  How 
I  know  you  down  yer  courtin'  wid  Unk  Remus  ?  " 

"  Yo'  head  mighty  full  er  courtin',  you  nas'  stinkin' 
huzzy  !  "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy. 

Uncle  Remus,  strange  to  say,  was  unmoved.  He 
simply  said : 

"  Wen  you  see  dat  ar  'Tildy  gal  pirootin'  'roun'  I  boun' 
you  ole  Brer  Affikin  Jack  aint  fur  oiF.  'Twon't  be  so 
mighty  long  'fo'  de  ole  creetur'll  show  up." 

"How  you  know  dat,  Unk  Remus?"  exclaimed  'Tildy, 
showing  her  white  teeth  and  stretching  her  eyes.  "  Hit's 
de  Lord's  trufe  ;  Mass  Jeems  done  writ  a  letter  ter  Miss 
Sally,  an'  he  eay  in  dat  letter  dat  Daddy  Jack  ax  'im  fer 
ter  tell  Miss  Sally  ter  tell  me  dat  he'll  be  up  yer  dis  week. 
Dat  ole  Affikin  ape  got  de  impidence  er  de  Ole  Boy.  He 
dunner  who  he  foolin'  'longer  I  " 


310  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 


LI. 

MORE   TROUBLE  FOR  BROTHER    WOLF. 

THE  next  night  the  little  boy  hardly  waited  to  eat  his 
supper  before  going  to  Uncle  Remus's  house  ;  and  when 
Aunt  Tempy  failed  to  put  in  an  appearance  as  early  as  he 
thought  necessary,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  go  after  her.  He 
had  an  idea  that  there  was  a  sequel  to  the  story  sfce  had 
told  the  night  before,  and  he  was  right.  After  protesting 
against  being  dragged  around  from  post  to  pillar  by 
children,  Aunt  Tempy  said  : 

"  Atter  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  make  out  he  uz  pizen'd  un 
git  all  de  beef,  'twant  long  'fo'  he  chance  to  meet  ole  Brer 
Wolf  right  spang  in  de  middle  uv  de  road.  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  sorter  shied  off  ter  one  side,  but  Brer  Wolf  hail  'im : 

'  W'oa  dar,  my  colty  !  don't  be  so  gaily.  You  better 
be  'shame'  yo'se'f  'bout  de  way  you  do  me  w'en  we  go  inter 
cahoots  wid  dat  beef.' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  ax  Brer  Wolf  how  all  his  folks. 
Brer  Wolf  say  : 

'  You'll  fin'  out  how  dey  all  is  'fo'  dis  day  gone  by. 
You  took'n  took  de  beef,  un  now  I'm  a  gwine  ter  take'n 
take  you.' 

"  Wid  dis  Brer  Wolf  make  a  dash  at  Brer  Rabbit,  but 
he  des  lack  a  little  bit  uv  bein'  quick  'nuff,  un  Brer  Rabbit 
he  des  went  a  sailin'  thoo  de  woods.  Brer  Wolf,  he  tuck 


MORE    TROUBLE    FOR    BROTHER   WOLF.          311 

atter  'im,  un  yer  dey  had  it  —  fus'  Brer  Kabbit  un  den 
Brer  Wolf.  Brer  Rabbit  mo'  soopler  dan  Brer  Wolf,  but 
Brer  Wolf  got  de  Vantage  er  de  win',  en  terreckly  he  push 
Brer  Eabbit  so  close  dat  he  run  in  a  holler  log. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  bin  in  dat  log  befo'  un  he  know  dey's  a 
hole  at  de  t'er  een',  en  he  des  keep  on  a'gwine.  He  dart 
in  one  een'  an  he  slip  out  de  udder.  He  aint  stop  ter 
say  goo'-bye ;  bless  you  !  he  des  keep  on  gwine. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  see  Brer  Rabbit  run  in  de  holler  log, 
un  he  say  ter  hisse'f : 

' '  Heyo,  dey  bin  callin'  you  so  mighty  cunnin'  all  dis 
time,  un  yer  you  done  gone  un  shot  yo'se'f  up  in  my 
trap.' 

"  Den  Brer  Wolf  laugh  un  lay  down  by  de  een'  whar 
Brer  Rabbit  went  in,  un  pant  un  res'  hisse'f.  He  see 
whar  Brer  B'ar  burnin'  off  a  new-groun,  un  he  holler  un 
ax  'im  fer  ter  fetch  'im  a  chunk  er  fier,  un  Brer  B'ar  he 
fotch  it,  en  dey  sot  fier  ter  de  holler  log,  un  dey  sot  dar 
un  watch  it  till  it  burn  plum  up.  Den  dey  took'n  shuck 
han's,  en  Brer  Wolf  say  he  hope  dat  atter  dat  dey '11  have 
some  peace  in  de  neighborhoods." 

Uncle  Remus  smiled  a  knowing  smile  as  he  filled  his 
pipe,  but  Aunt  Tempy  continued  with  great  seriousness  : 

"  One  time  atter  dat,  Brer  Wolf,  he  took'n  pay  a  call 
down  ter  Miss  Meadows,  un  w'en  he  git  dar  un  see  Brer 
Rabbit  settin'  up  side  uv  one  er  de  gals,  he  like  to  a 
fainted,  dat  he  did.  He  'uz  dat  'stonish'd  dat  he  look 
right  down-hearted  all  endurin'  uv  de  party. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  bow'd  his  howdies  ter  Brer  Wolf  un 


312  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

shuck  ban's  'long  wid  'im,  des  like  nothin'  aint  never  hap- 
pen 'twixt  'um,  un  he  up'n  say : 

"Ah-law,  Brer  Wolf!  Youer  much  mo'  my  fr'en* 
dan  you  ever  speckted  ter  be,  un  you  kin  des  count  on  me 
right  straight  'long.' 

"  Brer  Wolf  say  he  feel  sorter  dat  away  hisse'f,  un  he  ax 
Brer  Rabbit  w'at  make  'im  change  his  min'  so  quick. 

" '  Bless  you,  Brer  Wolf,  I  had  needs  ter  change  it,' 
sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  ax  'im  how  come. 

' '  All  about  bein'  burnt  up  in  a  holler  log,  Brer  Wolf, 
en  w'en  you  gits  time  I  wish  you  be  so  good  ez  ter  bu'n 
me  up  some  mo','  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"Brer  Wolf,  he  ax  'im  how  so.     Brer  Rabbit  say  : 

"  '  I'm  fear'd  ter  tell  you,  Brer  Wolf,  kaze  I  don't  want 
de  news  ter  git  out.' 

"  '  Brer  Wolf  vow  he  won't  tell  nobody  on  de  top  side 
er  de  worl'.  Brer  Rabbit  say  : 

'  *  I  done  fin'  out,  Brer  Wolf,  dat  w'en  you  git  in  a  hol- 
ler tree  un  somebody  sets  it  a-fier,  dat  de  natal  honey 
des  odzles  out  uv  it,  un  mor'n  dat,  atter  you  git  de  honey 
all  over  you,  tain't  no  use  ter  try  ter  burn  you  up,  kaze 
de  honey  will  puzzuv  you.  Don't  'ny  me  dis  favor, 
Brer  Wolf,  kaze  I  done  pick  me  out  a  n'er  holler  tree,' 
sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  wanter  put  right  out  den  un  dar,  un 
Brer  Rabbit  say  dat  des  de  kinder  man  w'at  he  bin  huntin' 
fer.  Dey  took  deyse'f  off  un  'twan't  long  'fo'  dey  came 
ter  de  tree  w'at  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  done  pick  out.  W'en 


MORE  TROUBLE  FOR  BROTHER  WOLF.    313 

dey  git  dar,  Brer  Wolf,  he  so  greedy  fer  ter  git  a  tas'e  er 
de  honey  dat  he  beg  un  beg  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  let  'im 
git  in  de  holler.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  hoF  back,  but  Brer 
Wolf  beg  so  hard  dat  Brer  Rabbit  'gree  ter  let  'im  git  in 
de  holler. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  got  in,  he  did,  un  Brer  Rabbit  stuff  de 
hole  full  er  dry  leaves  un  trash,  un  den  he  got  'im  a 
chunk  er  fier  un  totch  'er  off.  She  smoked  un  smoked, 
un  den  she  bust  out  in  a  blaze.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  pile  up 
rocks,  un  brush,  un  sticks,  so  Brer  Wolf  can't  git  out. 
Terreckly  Brer  Wolf  holler  : 

' '  Gittin'  mighty  hot,  Brer  Rabbit !  I  aint  see  no 
honey  yit.' 

Brer  Rabbit  he  pile  on  mo'  trash,  un  holler  back : 

"  Don't  be  in  no  hurry,  Brer  Wolf ;  you'll  see  it  un 
tas'e  it  too.' 

"  Fier  burn  un  burn,  wood  pop  like  pistol.  Brer 
Wolf,  he  holler : 

"'Gittin'  hotter  un  hotter,  Brer  Rabbit.  No  honey 
come  yit.' 

" '  Hoi'  still,  Brer  Wolf,  hit'll  come.' 

" '  Gimme  a'r,  Brer  Rabbit ;  I'm  a-chokinV 

"  Fresh  a'r  make  honey  sour.  Des  hoi'  still,  Brer 
Wolf!' 

' '  Ow  !  she  gittin'  hotter  en  hotter,  Brer  Rabbit ! ' 

"<Des  hoi'  right  still,  Brer  Wolf;  mos'  time  fer  de 
honey  ! ' 

"  '  Owl-ow!     I'm  a-burnin',  Brer  Rabbit ! ' 

«<  Wait  fer  de  honey,  Brer  Wolf.' 


314  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

"'  I  can't  stan'  it,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

"  <  Stan '  it  like  I  did,  Brer  Wolf.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  he  pile  on  de  trash  un  de  leaves.  He 
say : 

'"I'll  gin  you  honey,  Brer  Wolf;  de  same  kinder 
honey  you  wanted  ter  gimme.' 

"  Un  it  seem  like  ter  me,"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  pleased 
at  the  interest  the  little  boy  had  shown,  "  dat  it  done  Brer 
Wolf  des  right." 


LII. 

BROTHER  RABBIT  OUTDOES  MR.  MAN. 

THE  little  boy  had  heard  Uncle  Remus  lamenting  that 
his  candle  was  getting  rather  short,  and  he  made  it  his 
business  to  go  around  the  house  and  gather  all  the  pieces 
he  could  find.  He  carried  these  to  the  old  man,  who 
received  them  with  the  liveliest  satisfaction. 

"Now  dish  yer  sorter  look  lak  sump'n,  honey.  W'en 
ole  Brer  Jack  come  back,  en  Sis  Tempy  git  in  de  habits 
er  'hangin'  'roun',  we'll  des  light  some  er  dese  yer,  en 
folks'll  come  by  en  see  de  shine,  en  dey'll  go  off  en  'low  dat 
hit's  de  night  des  'fo'  camp-meetin'  at  ole  Remus  house. 

"  I  got  little  piece  dar  in  my  chist  w'at  you  brung  me 
long  time  ergo,  en  I  'low  ter  myse'f  dat  ef  shove  ever  git 
ter  be  push,1  I'd  des  draw  'er  out  en  light  'er  up." 

1 A  plantation  saying.    It  means  if  hard  times  get  harder.    A  briefer  form 
is  "  w'en  shove  'come  push  "  —  when  the  worst  comes  to  the  worst. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  OUTDOES  MR.  MAN.    315 

"  Mamma  says  Daddy  Jack  is  coming  back  Sunday," 
said  the  little  boy. 

"  Dat  w'at  I  year  talk,"  replied  the  old  man. 

"  What  did  he  go  off  for,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 

"  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey  !  Brer  Jack  bleedz  ter  go  en  see 
yo'  Unk  Jeems.  He  b'leeve  de  worF  go  wrong  ef  he 
aint  do  dat.  Dat  ole  nigger  b'leeve  he  white,  mon.  Pie 
come  up  yer  fum  down  de  country  whar  de  Lord  done 
fersook  um  too  long  'go  ter  talk  'bout,  — he  come  up 
yer  en  he  put  on  mo'  a'rs  dan  w'at  I  dast  ter  do.  Not 
dat  I'm  keerin',  kaze  goodness  knows  I  aint,  yit  I  notices 
dat  w'en  I  has  ter  go  some'rs,  dey's  allers  a  great  ter-do 
'bout  w'at  is  I'm  a  gwine  fer,  en  how  long  is  I'm  a  gwine 
ter  stay ;  en  ef  I  aint  back  at  de  ve'y  minit,  dars  Mars 
John  a  growlin',  en  Miss  Sally  a  vowin'  dat  she  gwine 
ter  put  me  on  de  block."1 

Perhaps  Uncle  Remus's  jealousy  was  more  substantial 
than  he  was  willing  to  admit ;  but  he  was  talking  merely 
to  see  what  the  little  boy  would  say.  The  child,  however, 
failed  to  appreciate  the  situation,  seeing  which  the  old  man 
quickly  changed  the  subject. 

"  Times  is  mighty  diffunt  fum  w'at  dey  use  ter  wuz, 
kaze  de  time  has  bin  dat  ef  ole  Brer  Rabbit  had  er  run'd 
up  wid  Brer  Jack  w'iles  he  comin'  fum  yo'  Unk  Jeems 
place,  he'd  er  outdone  'im  des  ez  sho'  ez  de  worl'  stan's.  Deze 
days  de  Rabbits  has  ter  keep  out  de  way  er  folks,  but  in 
dem  days,  folks  had  ter  keep  out  der  way  er  ole  Brer 

1  That  is  to  say,  put  him  on  the  block,  and  sell  him. 


316  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Rabbit.     Aint  I  never  tell  you  'bout  how  Brer   Rabbit 
whirl  in  en  outdo  Mr.  Man?" 

"  About  the  meat  tied  to  the  string,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 
"  Shoo!  Dat  aint  a  drap  in  de  bucket,  honey.     Dish  yer 
wuz  de  time  w'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  gwine  'long  de  big 
road,  en  he  meet   Mr.  Man  drivin'  'long   wid  a  waggin 
chock  full  er  money." 

"Where  did  he  get  so  much  money,  Uncle  Remus?" 
"  Bruisin'  'round  en  peddlin'  'bout.  Mr.  Man  got  w'at 
lot's  er  folks  aint  got  —  good  luck,  long  head,  quick  eye,  en 
slick  fingers.  But  no  marter  'bout  dat,  he  got  de  money ; 
en  w'en  you  sorter  grow  up  so  you  kin  knock  'roun',  twont 
be  long  'fo'  some  un'll  take  en  take  you  off  'roun'  de 
cornder  en  tell  you  dat  'taint  make  no  diffunce  whar  de 
money  come  fum  so  de  man  got  it.  Dey  won't  tell  you 
dat  in  de  meeting-house,  but  dey'll  come  mighty  nigh 
it. 

"  But  dat  aint  needer  yer  ner  dar.     Mr.  Man,  he  come 
a  drivin'  'long  de  big  road,  en  he  got  a  waggin  full  er 
money.     Brer  Rabbit,  he  come  a  lippity-clippitin'  'long 
de  big  road,  en  he  aint  got  no  waggin  full  er  money.     Ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  tuck  a  notion  dat  dey's  sump'n  wrong 
some'rs,  kaze  ef  dey  wan't,  he'ud  have  des  ez  much  waggin 
en  money  ez  Mr.  Man.     He  study,  en  study,  en  he  can't 
make  out  how  dat  is.     Birneby  he  up'n  holler  out : 
' f  Mr.  Man,  please,  sir,  lemme  ride.' 
"  Mr.  Man,  he  tuck'n  stop  he  waggin,  en  'low  : 
"'  Heyo,  Brer  Rabbit !  how  come  dis?  You  comin'  one 
way  en  I  gwine  nudder ;  how  come  you  wanter  ride  ? ' 


BROTHER  RABBIT  OUTDOES  MR.  MAN.     317 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  scratch  hisse'f  on  de  back  er  de 
neck  wid  he  behime  foot,  en  holler  out  : 

"'Mr.  Man,  yo'  sho'ly  can't  be  'quainted  long  wid 
me.  I'm  one  er  dem  ar  ole-time  kinder  folks  w'at 
aint  a  keerin'  w'ich  way  deyer  gwine  long  ez  deyer 
ridin'.'  " 

The  little  boy  laughed  a  sympathetic  laugh,  showing 
that  he  heartily  endorsed  this  feature  of  Brother  Rabbit's 
programme. 

"  Atter  so  long  a  time,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "  Mr. 
Man  'gree  ter  let  Brer  Rabbit  ride  a  little  piece.  He  try 
ter  git  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  ride  up  on  de  seat  wid  'im  so 
dey  kin  git  ter  'sputin'  'bout  sump'n  n'er,  but  Brer  Rabbit 
say  he  fear'd  he  fall  off,  en  he  des  tuck'n  sot  right  flat 
down  in  dey  bottom  er  de  waggin,  en  make  lak  he  fear'd 
ter  move. 

"  Bimeby,  w'iles  dey  goin'  down  hill,  en  Mr.  Man  hatter 
keep  he  eye  on  de  bosses,  Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck'n  fling  out 
a  great  big  hunk  er  de  money.  Dez  ez  de  money  hit  de 
groun'  Brer  Rabbit  holler  out  : 


"Mr.  Man  look  'roun'  en  ax  w'at  de  marter.  Brer 
Rabbit  'low  : 

"  'Nothin'  'tall,  Mr.  Man,  'ceppin'  you  'bout  ter  jolt  my 
jaw-bone  a-loose.' 

"  Dey  go  on  little  furder,  en  Brer  Rabbit  fling  out  n'er 
hunk  er  de  money.  Wen  she  hit  the  groun',  Brer  Rabbit 
holler  : 


318  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Mr.  Man  look  'roun'  en  ax  w'at  de  marier.  Brer 
Eabbit  'low : 

;  ?  Nothin'  'tall,  Mr.  Man,  'ceppin'  I  seed  a  jaybird  flyin' 
long,  en  I  make  lak  I  had  a  gun.' 

"  Hit  keep  on  dis  away  twel  fus'  news  you  know  Mr. 
Man  aint  got  a  sign  er  money  in  dat  waggin.  Seem  lak 
Mr.  Man  aint  notice  dis  twel  he  git  a  mighty  fur 
ways  fum  de  place  whar  Brer  Rabbit  drap  out  de  las' 
hunk ;  but,  gentermens  !  w'en  he  do  fine  it  out,  you  better 
b'leeve  he  sot  up  a  howl. 

'  Whar  my  money  ?  Whar  my  nice  money  ?  Whar  my 
waggin  full  er  purty  money  ?  O  you  long-year'd  rascal ! 
Whar  my  money  ?  Oh,  gimme  my  money  ! ' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  sot  dar  en  lissen  at  'im  lak  he  'stonish'd. 
Den  he  up'n  'low : 

: '  Look  out,  Mr.  Man  !  folks  '11  come  'long  en  year 
you  gwine  on  dat  away,  en  dey'll  go  off  en  say  you  done 
gone  ravin'  'stracted.' 

"  Yit  Mr.  Man  keep  on  holler'n  en  beggin'  Brer  Rabbit 
fer  ter  gin  'im  de  money,  en  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit,  he  git 
sorter  skeer'd  en  he  up'n  'low : 

'  Sun  gittin'  low,  Mr.  Man,  en  I  better  be  gittin'  'way 
fum  yer.  De  sooner  I  goes  de  better,  kase  ef  you  keep 
on  lak  you  gwine,  'twon't  be  long  'fo'  you'll  be  excusur  me 
er  takin'  dat  ar  money.  I'm  'blige'  fer  de  ride,  Mr.  Man, 
en  I  wish  you  mighty  well.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  got  de  money,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
gazing  placidly  into  the  fire,  "  en  hit's  mighty  kuse  ter  me 
dat  he  aint  git  de  waggin  en  bosses.  Dat  'tis  !  " 


BROTHER    RABBIT    TAKES    A    WALK.  319 


LIII. 
BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  A    WALK. 

"  EVE'Y  time  I  run  over  in  my 
pranks  er  Brer  Rabbit,"  Uncle  Remus  continued,  without 
giving  the  little  boy  time  to  ask  any  more  embarrassing 
questions  about  Mr.  Man  and  his  wagon  full  of  money, 
"  hit  make  me  laugh  mo'  en  mo'.  He  mos'  allers  come 
out  on  top,  yit  dey  wuz  times  w'en  he  hatter  be  mighty 
spry." 

"  When  was  that,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  inquired  the  little 
boy. 

"  I  min'  me  er  one  time  w'en  de  t'er  creeturs  all  git  de 
laugh  on  'im,"  responded  the  old  man,  "en  dey  make 
'im  feel  sorter  'shame'.  Hit  seem  lak  dat  dey  'uz  some 
kinder  bodderment  mungs  de  creeturs  en  wud  went  out 
dat  dey  all  got  ter  meet  terge'er  some'rs  en  ontangle  de 
tanglements. 

"  Wen  de  time  come,  dey  wuz  all  un  um  dar,  en  dey 
hilt  der  confab  right  'long.  All  un  um  got  sump'n  ter  say, 
en  dey  talk  dar,  dey  did,  des  lak  dey  'uz  paid  fer  talkin'. 
Dey  all  had  der  plans,  en  dey  jabbered  des  lak  folks  does 
w'en  dey  call  deyse'f  terge'er.  Hit  come  'bout  dat  Mr. 
Dog  git  a  seat  right  close  by  Brer  Rabbit,  en  w'en  he  open 
he  mouf  fer  ter  say  sump'n,  he  toofs  look  so  long  en  so 
strong,  en  dey  shine  so  w'ite,  dat  it  feel  mighty  kuse. 


320  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"Mr.  Dog,  he'd  saysump'n,  Brer  Rabbit,  he'd  jump  en 
dodge.  Mr.  Dog,  he'd  laugh,  Brer  Rabbit,  he'd  dodge 
en  jump.  Hit  keep  on  dis  away,  twel  eve'y  time  Brer 
Rabbit'd  dodge  en  jump,  de  t'er  creeturs  dey'd  slap  der 
han's  terge'er  en  break  out  in  a  laugh.  Mr.  Dog,  he 
tuck'n  tuck  a  notion  dat  dey  uz  laughin'  at  him,  en  dis 
make  'im  so  mad  dat  he  'gun  ter  growl  en  snap  right 
smartually,  en  it  come  ter  dat  pass  dat  w'en  Brer 
Rabbit'd  see  Mr.  Dog  make  a  motion  fertersay  a  speech, 
he'd  des  drap  down  en  git  und'  de  cheer. 

"  Co'se  dis  make  um  laugh  wuss  en  wuss,  en  de  mo' 
dey  laugh  de  madder  it  make  Mr.  Dog,  twel  bimeby  he 
git  so  mad  he  fa'rly  howl,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  sot  dar,  he 
did,  en  shuck  lak  he  got  er  ager. 

"  Atter  w'ile  Brer  Rabbit  git  sorter  on  t'er  side,  en  he 
make  a  speech  en  say  dey  oughter  be  a  law  fer  ter  make 
all  de  creeturs  w'at  got  tushes  ketch  en  eat  der  vittles  wid 
der  claws.  All  un  um  'gree  ter  dis  'cep'  hit's  Mr.  Dog, 
Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer  Fox. 

"Indem  days,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "ef  all  de 
creeturs  aint  'gree,  dey  put  it  off  twel  de  nex'  meetin'  en 
talk  it  over  some  mo',  en  dat's  de  way  dey  done  wid  Brer 
Rabbit  projick.  Dey  put  it  off  twel  de  nex'  time. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  got  a  kinder  sneakin'  notion  dat  de  creeturs 
aint  gwine  do  lak  he  want  um  ter  do,  en  he  'low  ter  Brer 
Wolf  dat  he  speck  de  bes'  way  fer  ter  do  is  ter  git  all 
de  creeturs  ter  'gree  fer  ter  have  Mr.  Dog  mouf  sew'd  up, 
kaze  he  toofs  look  so  venomous  ;  en  Brer  Wolf  say  dey 
'ull  all  go  in  fer  dat. 


BROTHER    RABBIT    TAKES    A    WALK.  321 

"  Sho  nuff,  w'en  de  day  done  come,  Brer  Rabbit  he  git 
up  en  say  dat  de  bes'  way  ter  do  is  have  Mr.  Dog  mouf 
sew'd  up  so  he  toofs  won't  look  so  venomous.  Dey  all 
'gree,  en  den  Mr.  Lion,  settin'  up  in  de  arm-cheer,  he  ax 
who  gwine  do  de  sewin'. 

"  Den  dey  all  up'n  'low  dat  de  man  w'at  want  de  sewin' 
done,  he  de  man  fer  ter  do  it,  kaze  den  he  'ull  know  it 
done  bin  done  right.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  study,  en 
den  he  'low  : 

:t '  I  aint  got  no  needle.' 

"  Brer  B'ar,  he  sorter  feel  in  de  flap  er  he  coat  collar,  en 
he  'low : 

'  Yer,  Brer  Rabbit ;  'yer  a  great  big  one  ! ' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  study  'g'in,  en  den  he  'low : 

" '  I  aint  got  no  th'ead.' 

"  Brer  B'ar,  he  tuck'n  pull  a  rav'lin'  fum  de  bottom  er 
he  wescut,  en  he  'low  : 

?  Yer,  Brer  Rabbit ;  yer  a  great  long  one  ! ' 

"  Ef  it  had  er  bin  anybody  in  de  roun'  worl'  he'd  er  'gun 
ter  feel  sorter  ticklish,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on.  "  But  ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  des  tuck'n  lay  he  finger  cross  he  nose,  en 
'low: 

f '  Des  hoi'  um  dar  fer  me,  Brer  B'ar,  en  I'll  be  much 
'blige  ter  you.  Hits  des  'bout  my  time  er  day  fer  ter 
take  a  walk  I ' 

Uncle  Remus  laughed  as  heartily  as  the  child,  and  added  : 

"  Some  folks  say  de  creeturs  had  de  grins  on  Brer 
Rabbit  'bout  dat  time ;  but  I  tell  you  right  pine-blank 
dey  aint  grin  much  w'en  dey  year  Brer  Rabbit  say  dat." 


322  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 


LIV. 


OLD   ORINNY  GRANNY   WOLF. 

AT  last  Daddy  Jack  returned,  and  the  fact  that  the 
little  boy  had  missed  him  and  inquired  about  him,  seemed 
to  give  the  old  African  particular  pleasure.  It  was  prob- 
ably a  new  experience  to  Daddy  Jack,  and  it  vaguely  stirred 
some  dim  instinct  in  his  bosom  that  impelled  him  to  greet 
the  child  with  more  genuine  heartiness  than  he  had  ever 
displayed  in  all  his  life.  He  drew  the  little  boy  up  to 
him,  patted  him  gently  on  the  cheek,  and  exclaimed  : 

"  Ki !  I  bin  want  fer  see  you  bery  bahd.  I  bin-a  tell 
you'  nunk  Jeem'  how  fine  noung  man  you  is.  'E  ahx 
wey  you  no  come  fer  shum.  Fine  b'y  —  fine  b'y  !  " 

"Well,  ef  dat's  de  wey  youer  gwine  on,  Brer  Jack, 
you'll  spile  dat  chap  sho'.  A  whole  sack  er  salt  won't 
save  'im." 

"I  dunno  'bout  dat,  Brer  Remus,"  said  Aunt  Tempy, 
who  had  come  in.  "  Don't  seem  like  he  bad  like  some 
yuther  childun  w'at  I  seen.  Bless  you,  I  know  childun 
w'at'd  keep  dish  yer  whole  place  tarryfied  —  dat  dey 
would !  " 

"Well,  sir,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  shaking  his  head  and 
groaning,  "  you  all  aint  wid  dat  young  un  dar  much  ez  I 
is.  Some  days  w'en  dey  aint  nobody  lookin',  en  dey  aint 


OLD    GRINNY    GRANNY    WOLF.  323 

nobody  nowhar  fer  ter  take  keer  un  me,  dat  ar  little  chap 
dar  '11  come  down  yer  en  chunk  me  wid  rocks,  en  'buze 
me  en  holler  at  me  scan'lous." 

The  little  boy  looked  so  shocked  that  Uncle  Remus 
broke  into  a  laugh  that  shook  the  cobwebs  in  the  corners  ; 
then,  suddenly  relapsing  into  seriousness,  he  drew  himself 
up  with  dignity  and  remarked  : 

"Good  er  bad,  you  can't  git  'long  wid  'im  less'n  you  sets 
in  ter  tellin'  tales,  en,  Brer  Jack,  I  hope  you  got  some 
long  wid  you." 

Daddy  Jack  rubbed  his  hands  together,  and  said  : 

"  Me  bin  yeddy  one  tale ;  'e  mekky  me  lahff  tell  I 
is  'come'  tire'." 

"  Fer  de  Lord  sake  less  have  it  den  !  "  exclaimed  Aunt 
Tempy,  with  unction.  Whereupon,  the  small,  but  appre- 
ciative audience  disposed  itself  comfortably,  and  Daddy 
Jack,  peering  at  each  one  in  turn,  his  eyes  shining  between 
his  half-closed  lids  as  brightly  as  those  of  some  wild 
animal,  began  : 

w  One  tarn  B'er  Rabbit  is  bin  traffel  'roun'  fer  see  'e 
neighbor  folks.  'E  bin  mahd  wit  B'er  Wolf  fer  so  long 
tarn ;  'e  mek  no  diffran,  'e  come  pas'  'e  house  'e  no  see 
nuttin',  'e  no  yeddy  nuttin'.  'E  holler  : 

' f  Hi,  B'er  Wolf!  wey  you  no  fer  mek  answer  wun  me 
ahx  you  howdy  ?  Wey  fer  you  is  do  dis  'fo'  me  werry 
face  ?  Wut  mekky  you  do  dis  ? ' 

"'E  wait,  'e  lissun;  nuttin'  no  mek  answer.  B'er 
Rabbit,  'e  holler : 

"'Come-a   show  you'se'f,  B'er   Wolf!    Come-a    show 


324  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

you'se'f.  Be  'shame'  fer  not  show  you'se'f  wun  you 
'quaintun'  come  bisitin'  wey  you'  lif ! ' 

"Nuttin'  'tall  no  mek  answer,  un  B'er  Rabbit  'come 
berry  mahd.  'E  'come  so  mahd  'e  stomp  'e  fut  un  bump 
?e  head  'pon  da  fence-side.  Bumbye  'e  tek  heart ;  'e 
y-opun  da  do',  'e  is  look  inside  da  house.  Fier  bu'n  in  da 
chimbly,  pot  set  'pon  da  fier,  ole  ooman  sed  by  da  pot. 
Fier  bu'n,  pot,  'e  bile,  ole  ooman,  'e  tek  'e  nap. 

"Da  ole  ooman,  'e  ole  Granny  Wolf;  'e  cripple  in  'e 
leg,  'e  bline  in  'e  y-eye,  'e  mos'  deaf  in  'e  year.  'E  deaf, 
but  'e  bin  yeddy  B'er  Rabbit  mek  fuss  at  da  do',  un  'e  is 
cry  out : 

'  '  Come-a  see  you'  ole  Granny,  me  gran 'son  —  come-a 
see  you'  Granny  !  Da  fier  is  bin  bu'n,  da  pot  is  bin  b'ile  ; 
come-a  fix  you'  Granny  some  bittle,1  me  gran'son.'" 

Daddy  Jack's  representation  of  the  speech  and  action  of 
an  old  woman  was  worth  seeing  and  hearing.  The  little 
boy  laughed,  and  Uncle  Remus  smiled  good-humoredly ; 
but  Aunt  Tempy  looked  at  the  old  African  with  open- 
mouthed  astonishment.  Daddy  Jack,  however,  cared 
nothing  for  any  effect  he  might  produce.  He  told  the 
story  for  the  story's  sake,  and  he  made  no  pause  for  the 
purpose  of  gauging  the  appreciation  of  his  audience. 

"  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is  bin  mek  'ese'f  comfuts  by  da  fier. 
Bumbye,  'e  holler : 

:"Hi,  Granny!  I  bin  cripple  me  se'f;  me  y-eye  bin-a 
come  bline.  You  mus'  bile-a  me  in  da  water,  Granny, 
so  me  leg  is  kin  come  well,  un  so  me  y-eye  kin  come  see.' 

1  Victuals. 


OLD    GRINNY    GRANNY    WOLF.  325 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  mighty  ha'd  fer  fool.  'E  bin  tek  'im 
one  chunk  woot,  'e  drap  da  woot  in  da  pot.  'E  bin  say  : 

:?fl  is  bin  feelin'  well,  me  Granny.  Me  leg,  'e  comin' 
strong,  me  y-eye  'e  fix  fer  see.' 

"  Granny  Wolf,  'e  shek  'e  head  ;  'e  cry  : 

' e  Me  one  leg  cripple,  me  turrer  leg  cripple  ;  me  one  eye 
bline,  me  turrer  y-eye  bline.  Wey  you  no  fer  pit  me  in  da 
pot  fer  mek  me  well  ? ' 

"  B'er  Rabbit  laff  in  'e  belly ;  'e  say  : 

"  rHol'  you'se'f  still,  me  Granny ;  I  fix  you  one  place 
in  da  pot  wey  you  is  kin  fetch-a  back  da  strenk  in  you' 
leg  un  da  sight  in  you'  eye.  Hoi'  still,  me  Granny  ! ' 

"  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is  bin  tekky  da  chunk  y-outdapot ;  'e 
tekky  da  chunk,  un  'e  is  bin  pit  Granny  Wolf  in  dey  place. 
'E  tetch  da  water,  'e  holler  : 

' f  Ow  !  tekky  me  way  fum  dis  ! ' 

"  B'er  Rabbit  say  'tiss  not  da  soon  nuif  tarn.  Granny 
Wolf,  'e  holler  : 

f  f  Ovv  !  tekky  me  way  fum  dis  !    'E  bin  too  hot ! ' 

"  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  no  tekky  da  Mammy  Wolf  fum  da 
pot,  un  buinbye  'e  die  in  dey.  B'er  Rabbit  'e  tek  'e  bone 
un  t'row  um  way  ;  'e  leaf  da  meat.  'E  tek  Granny  Wolf 
frock,  'e  tu'n  um  'roun',  'e  pit  um  on  ;  'e  tek  Granny  Wolf 
cap,  'e  tu'n  'roun',  'e  pit  um  on.  'E  sed  deer  by  da  fier, 
'e  hoi'  e'se'f  in  'e  cheer  sem  lak  Granny  Wolf. 

"  Bumbye  B'er  Wolf  is  bin-a  come  back.  'E  walk  in 
'e  house,  'e  say  : 

' '  Me  honkry,  Grinny-Granny  !    Me  honkry,  fer  true  ! ' 
*  You'  dinner  ready,  Grin'son-Gran'son  I ' 


326  NIGHTS   WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"B'er  Wolf,  'e  look  in  da  pot,  'e  smell  in  da  pot,  'e 
stir  in  da  pot.  'E  eat  '"e  dinner,  'e  smack  'e  mout'." 

The  little  boy  shuddered,  and  Aunt  Tempy  exclaimed, 
"  In  de  name  er  de  Lord ! "  The  old  African  paid  no 
attention  to  either. 

"  B'er  Wolf  eat  'e  dinner ;  'e  call  'e  chilluns,  'e  ahx  um  is 
dey  no  want  nuttin'  'tall  fer  eat.     'E  holler  back : 
'  We  no  kin  eat  we  Grinny-Granny  !  ' 

"  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  run  way  fum  dey-dey ;  'e  holler 
back  : 

' '  B'er  Wolf,  you  is  bin  eat  you'  Grinny-Granny.' 

"B'er  Wolf  bin-a  git  so  mad  'e  yent  mos'  kin  see.  'E 
yeddy  B'er  Rabbit  holler,  un  'e  try  fer  ketch  um.  'E  feer 
teer  up  da  grass  wey  'e  run  'long.  Bumbye  'e  come  'pon 
B'er  Rabbit.  'E  is  bin  push  um  ha'd.  B'er  Rabbit  run 
un-a  run  tell  'e  yent  kin  run  no  mo' ;  'e  hide  'neat'  leanin' 
tree.  B'er  Wolf,  'e  fine  um  ;  B'er  Rabbit  'e  holler  : 

« <  Hi !  B'er  Wolf !  mek  'as'e  come  hoi'  up  da  tree,  'fo' 
'e  is  fall  dey-dey ;  conie-a  hoi'  um,  B'er  Wolf,  so  I  is  kin 
prop  um  up.' 

"  Be'r  Wolf,  'e  hoi'  up  da  tree  fer  B'er  Rabbit ;  'e  hoi' 
um  till  'e  do  come  tire'.  B'er  Rabbit  gone  !  " 

Daddy  Jack  paused.  His  story  was  ended.  The 
little  boy  drew  a  long  breath  and  said  : 

"I  didn't  think  Brother  Rabbit  would  burn  anybody 
to  death  in  a  pot  of  boiling  water." 

"  Dat,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  reassuringly,  "  wuz  endurin' 
er  de  dog  days.  Dey  er  mighty  worn  times,  mon,  dem 
ar  dog  days  is.  " 


HOW  WATTLE  WEASEL  WAS  CAUGHT.    327 

This  was  intended  to  satisfy  such  scruples  as  the  child 
might  have,  and  it  was  no  doubt  successful,  for  the 
youngster  said  no  more,  but  watched  Uncle  Remus  as  the 
latter  leisurely  proceeded  to  fill  his  pipe. 


LV. 

HOW   WATTLE    WEASEL    WAS    CAUGHT. 

UNCLE  REMUS  chipped  the  tobacco  from  the  end  of  a 
plug,  rubbed  it  between  the  palms  of  his  hands,  placed  it 
in  his  pipe,  dipped  the  pipe  in  the  glowing  embers,  and 
leaned  back  in  his  chair,  and  seemed  to  be  completely 
happy. 

"Hit  mought  not  er  bin  endurin'  er  de  dog  days,"  said 
the  old  man,  recurring  to  Daddy  Jack's  story,  "  kaze  dey 
wuz  times  dat  w'en  dey  push  ole  Brer  Rabbit  so  close  he 
'uz  des  bleedz  ter  git  he  revengeance  out'n  um.  Dat 
mought  er  bin  de  marter  'twix'  him  en  ole  Grinny-Granny 
Wolf,  kaze  w'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  git  he  dander  up,  he  'uz 
a  monst'us  bad  man  fer  ter  fool  wid. 

"Dey  tuck  atter  'im,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "en  dey 
'buzed  'im,  en  dey  tried  ter  'stroy  'im,  but  dey  wuz  times 
w'en  de  t'er  creeturs  bleedz  ter  call  on  'im  fer  ter  he'p  'em 
out  dey  trouble.  I  aint  nev'  tell  you  'bout  little  Wattle 
Weasel,  is  I?"  asked  the  old  man,  suddenly  turning  to 
the  little  boy. 


328  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  EEMUS. 

The  child  laughed.  The  dogs  on  the  plantation  had 
killed  a  weasel  a  few  nights  before,  —  a  very  cunning-look- 
ing little  animal,  —  and  some  of  the  negroes  had  sent  it  to 
the  big-house  as  a  curiosity.  He  connected  this  fact  with 
Uncle  Remus's  allusions  to  the  weasel.  Before  he  could 
make  any  reply,  however,  the  old  man  went  on  : 

"No,  I  boun'  I  aint,  en  it  come  'cross  me  right  fresh  en 
hot  time  I  year  talk  er  Brer  Wolf  eatin'  he  granny.  Dey 
wuz  one  time  w'en  all  de  creeturs  wuz  livin'  in  de  same 
settlement  en  usin'  out'n  de  same  spring,  en  it  got  so  dat 
dey  put  all  dey  butter  in  de  same  piggin'.  Dey  put  it  in 
dar,  dey  did,  en  dey  put  it  in  de  spring-house,  en  dey'd 
go  off  en  'ten'  ter  dey  business.  Den  w'en  dey  come  back 
dey'd  fine  whar  some  un  been  nibblin'  at  dey  butter.  Dey 
tuck'n  hide  dat  butter  all  'roun'  in  de  spring-house  ;  dey 
sot  it  on  de  rafters,  en  dey  bury  it  in  de  san' ;  yit  all  de 
same  de  butter  'ud  come  up  missin'. 

"  Bimeby  it  got  so  dey  dunner  w'at  ter  do  ;  dey  zamin'  de 
tracks,  en  dey  fine  out  dat  de  man  w'at  nibble  dey  butter 
is  little  Wattle  Weasel.  He  come  in  de  night,  he  come  in 
de  day ;  dey  can't  ketch  'im.  Las'  de  creeturs  tuck'n  helt 
er  confab,  en  dey  'gree  dat  dey  hatter  set  some  un  fer  ter 
watch  en  ketch  Wattle  Weasel. 

"  Brer  Mink  wuz  de  fus'  man  'p'inted,  kaze  he  wantmo'n 
a  half  a  han'1  no  way  you  kin  fix  it.  De  t'er  creeturs  dey 
tuck'n  went  off  ter  dey  wuk,  en  Brer  Mink  he  tuck'n  sot  up 
wid  de  butter.  He  watch  en  he  lissen,  he  lissen  en  he  watch  ; 
he  aint  see  nothin',  he  aint  year  nothin'.  Yit  he  watch, 

1  That  is  could  do  no  more  than  half  the  work  of  a  man. 


HOW    WATTLE    WEASEL    WAS    CAUGHT.  329 

kaze  der  t'er  creeturs  done  fix  up  a  law  dat  ef  Wattle 
Weasel  come  w'iles  somebody  watchin'  en  git  off  bidout 
gittin'  kotch,  de  man  w'at  watchin'  aint  kin  eat  no  mo'  but- 
ter endurin'  er  dat  year. 

"  Brer  Mink,  he  watch  en  he  wait.  He  set  so  still  dat 
bimeby  he  git  de  cramps  in  de  legs,  en  des  'bout  dat  time 
little  Wattle  Weasel  pop  he  head  und'  de  do'.  He  see 
Brer  Mink,  en  he  hail  'im  : 

' '  Heyo,  Brer  Mink  !  you  look  sorter  lonesome  in  dar. 
Come  out  yer  en  less  take  a  game  er  hidin'-s witch.' 

"Brer  Mink,  he  wanter  have  some  fun,  he  did,  en  he 
tuck'n  jine  Wattle  Weasel  in  de  game.  Dey  play  en  dey 
play  twel,  bimeby,  Brer  Mink  git  so  wo'  out  dat  he  aint 
kin  run,  skacely,  en  des  soon  ez  dey  sets  down  ter  res', 
Brer  Mink,  he  draps  off  ter  sleep.  Little  Wattle  Weasel, 
so  mighty  big  en  fine,  he  goes  en  nibbles  up  de  butter,  en 
pops  out  de  way  he  come  in. 

"De  creeturs,  dey  come  back,  dey  did,  en  dey  fine  de 
butter  nibbled,  en  Wattle  Weasel  gone.  Wid  dat,  dey 
marks  Brer  Mink  down,  en  he  aint  kin  eat  no  mo'  butter 
dat  year.  Den  dey  fix  up  n'er  choosement  en  'p'int  Brer 
Possum  fer  ter  watch  de  butter. 

"  Brer  Possum,  he  grin  en  watch,  and  bimeby,  sho 
miff,  in  pop  little  Wattle  Weasel.  He  come  in,  he  did, 
en  he  sorter  hunch  Brer  Possum  in  de  short  ribs,  en  ax 
'im  how  he  come  on.  Brer  Possum  mighty  ticklish,  en 
time  Wattle  Weasel  totch  'im  in  de  short  ribs,  he  'gun  ter 
laugh.  Wattle  Weasel  totch  'im  ag'in  en  laugh  wusser, 
en  he  keep  on  hunchin'  'im  dat  away  twel  bimeby  Brer 


330  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Possum  laugh  hisse'f  plum  outer  win',  en  Wattle  Weasel 
lef  rim  dar  en  nibble  up  de  butter. 

"De  creeturs,  dey  tuckin  mark  Brer  Possum  down,  en 
p'int  Brer  Coon.  Brer  Coon,  he  tuck'n  start  in  all  so 
mighty  fine  ;  but  w'iles  he  settin'  dar,  little  Wattle  Weasel 
banter  'im  fer  a  race  up  de  branch.  No  sooner  say  dan  yer 
dey  went !  Brer  Coon,  he  foller  de  tu'ns  er  de  branch,  en 
little  Wattle*  Weasel  he  take'n  take  nigh  cuts,  en  'twan't 
no  time  'fo'  he  done  run  Brer  Coon  plum  down.  Den 
dey  run  down  de  branch,  and  'fo'  Brer  Coon  kin  ketch 
up  wid  'im,  dat  little  Wattle  Weasel  done  got  back  ter  de 
noggin  er  butter,  en  nibble  it  up. 

"Dende  creeturs  tuck'n  mark  Brer  Coon  down,  dey 
did,  en  'p'int  Brer  Fox  fer  ter  watch  de  butter.  Wattle 
Weasel  sorter  'fear'd  er  Brer  Fox.  He  study  long  time,  en 
den  he  wait  twel  night.  Den  he  tuck'n  went  roun'  in  de 
ole  fiel'  en  woke  up  de  Killdees 1  en  druv  'roun'  todes  de 
spring-house.  Brer  Fox  year  um  holler,  en  it  make  he 
mouf  water.  Bimeby,  he  low  ter  hisse'f  dat  taint  no 
harm  ef  he  go  out  en  slip  up  on  one." 

"  Dar  now  !  "  said  Aunt  Tempy. 

"Brer  Fox  tuck'n  slip  out,  en  Wattle  Weasel  he 
slicked  in,  en  bless  yo'  soul !  dar  goes  de  butter  !  " 

"  Enty  !  "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack. 

"  Brer  Fox  he  git  marked  down,"  continued  Uncle 
Remus,  "en  den  de  creeturs  tuck'n  p'int  Brer  Wolf  fer  ter 
be  dey  watcher.  Brer  Wolf,  he  sot  up  dar,  he  did,  en 
sorter  nod,  but  bimeby  he  year  some  un  talkin'  outside  de 

1  Killdecrs  —  a  species  of  plover. 


HOW    WATTLE    WEASEL    WAS    CAUGHT.          331 

spring-house.  He  h'ist  up  he  years  en  lissen.  Look  lak 
some  er  de  creeturs  wuz  gwine  by,  en  talkin'  mungs  dey- 
sef ;  but  all  Brer  Wolf  kin  year  is  dish  yer : 

'  I  wonder  who  put  dat  ar  young  sheep  down  dar  by 
de  chinkapin  tree,  en  I  like  ter  know  wharbouts  Brer 
Wolf  is.' 

"  Den  it  seem  lak  dey  pass  on,  en  ole  Brer  Wolf,  he 
fergotted  w'at  he  in  dar  fer,  en  he  dash  down  ter  de  chin- 
kapin tree,  fer  ter  git  de  young  sheep.  But  no  sheep 
dar,  en  w'en  he  git  back,  he  see  signs  whar  Wattle  Wea- 
sel done  bin  in  dar  en  nibble  de  butter. 

"  Den  de  creeturs  tuck'n  mark  Brer  Wolf  down,  en 
p'int  Brer  B'ar  fer  ter  keep  he  eye  'pun  de  noggin  er  but- 
ter. Brer  B'ar  he  tuck'n  sot  up  dar,  he  did,  en  lick  he 
paw,  en  feel  good.  Bimeby  Wattle  Weasel  come 
dancin'  in.  He  'low  : 

: '  Heyo,  Brer  B'ar,  how  you  come  on  ?  I  'low'd  I  yeard 
you  snortin'  in  yer,  en  I  des  drapt  in  fer  ter  see.' 

"  Brer  B'ar  tell  him  howdy,  but  he  sorter  keep  one  eye 
on  'im.  Little  Wattle  Weasel  'low  : 

' '  En  you  got  ticks  on  yo'  back,  Brer  B'ar?  ' 

"  Wid  dat  Wattle  Weasel  'gun  ter  rub  Brer  B'ar  on  de 
back  en  scratch  'im  on  de  sides,  en  'twant  long  To'  he  'uz 
stretch  out  fast  asleep  en  sno'in'  lak  a  saw-mill.  Co'se 
Wattle  Weasel  git  de  butter.  Brer  B'ar  he  got  marked 
down,  and  den  de  creeturs  aint  know  w'at  dey  gwine  do 
skacely. 

"  Some  say  sen'  fer  Brer  Kabbit,  some  say  sen'  fer  Brer 
Tarrypin  ;  but  las  dey  sent  fer  Brer  Rabbit.  Brer  Rabbit, 


332  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

he  tuck  a  notion  dat  dey  'uz  fixin'  up  some  kinder  trick  on 
im,  en  dey  hatter  beg  mightily,  mon,  'fo'  he  'ud  come  en 
set  up  'long  side  er  dey  butter. 

"  But  bimeby  he  'greed,  en  he  went  down  ter  de  spring- 
house  en  look  roun'.  Den  he  tuck'n  got  'im  a  twine 
string,  en  hide  hisse'f  whar  he  kin  keep  he  eye  on  de  nog- 
gin er  butter.  He  ain't  wait  long  'fo'  yer  come  Wattle 
Weasel.  Des  ez  he  'bout  ter  nibble  at  de  butter,  Brer 
Eabbit  holler  out : 

"'Let  dat  butter  'lone!' 

"  Wattle  Weasel  jump  back  lak  de  butter  bu'nt  'im.  He 
jump  back,  he  did,  en  say : 

" '  Sho'ly  dat  mus'  be  Brer  Rabbit ! ' 

"De  same.  I  'low'd  you'd  know  me.  Des  let  dat 
butter  'lone.' 

' '  Des  lemme  git  one  little  bit  er  tas'e,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

" '  Des  let  dat  butter  'lone.' 

"  Den  Wattle  Weasel  say  he  want  er  run  a  race.  Brer 
Rabbit  'low  he  tired.  Wattle  Weasel  'low  he  want  er 
play  hidin'.  Brer  Rabbit  'low  dat  all  he  hidin'  days  is 
pas'  en  gone.  Wattle  Weasel  banter 'd  en  banter'd  'im, 
en  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  come  up  wid  a  banter  er  he  own. 

' '  I'll  take'n  tie  yo'  tail,'  sezee, '  en  you'll  take'n  tie  mine, 
en  den  we'll  see  w'ich  tail  de  strongest.'  Little  Wattle 
Weasel  know  how  weakly  Brer  Rabbit  tail  is,  but  he  aint 
know  how  strong  Brer  Babbit  bin  wid  he  tricks.  So  dey 
tuck'n  tie  der  tails  wid  Brer  Rabbit  twine  string. 

Wattle  Weasel  wuz  ter  stan'  inside  en  Brer  Rabbit  wuz 
ter  stan'  outside  en  dey  wuz  ter  pull  'g'in  one  er  n'er  wid 


BROTHER    RABBIT    TIES    MR.   LION.  333 

dey  tails.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  slip  out'n  de  string,  en 
tie  de  een'  'roun'  a  tree  root,  en  den  he  went  en  peep  at 
Wattle  Weasel  tuggin'  en  pullin'.  Bimeby  Wattle 
Weasel  'low : 

'  *  Come  en  ontie  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  kaze  you  done  out- 
pull  me.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  chaw  he  cud,  en  look 
lak  he  feel  sorry  'bout  sump'n.  Bimeby  all  de  creeturs 
come  fer  ter  see  'bout  dey  butter,  kaze  dey  fear'd  Brer 
Rabbit  done  make  way  wid  it.  Yit  w'en  dey  see  little 
Wattle  Weasel  tie  by  de  tail,  dey  make  great  miration 
'bout  Brer  Rabbit,  en  dey  'low  he  de  smartest  one  er  de 
whole  gang." 


LVI. 

BROTHER  RABBIT   TIES   MR.   LION. 

THERE  was  some  comment  and  some  questions  were 
asked  by  the  little  boy  in  regard  to  Wattle  Weasel  and 
the  other  animals ;  to  all  of  which  Uncle  Remus  made 
characteristic  response.  Aunt  Tempy  sat  with  one  elbow 
on  her  knee,  her  head  resting  in  the  palm  of  her  fat  hand. 
She  gazed  intently  into  the  fire,  and  seemed  to  be  lost  in 
thought.  Presently  she  exclaimed  :  — 

"  Well,  de  Lord  he'p  my  soul !  " 

"  Dat's  de  promise,  Sis  Tempy,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
solemnly. 


334  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE  KEMUS. 

Aunt  Tempy  laughed,  as  she  straightened  herself  in 
her  chair,  and  said  : 

"  I  des  knowed  dey  wuz  sump'n  n'er  gwine  cross  my 
min'  w'en  I  year  talk  'bout  dat  ar  sheep  by  de  chinkapin 
tree." 

"  Out  wid  it,  Sis  Tempy,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  by  way 
of  encouragement ;  "  out  wid  it ;  free  yo'  min',  en  des 
make  yo'se'f  welcome." 

"  No  longer'n  Sunday  'fo'  las',  I'uz  cross  dar  at  de  Spivey 
place  un  I  tuck'n  year'd  a  nigger  man  tellin'  de  same  tale, 
un  I  'low  ter  myse'f  dat  I'd  take'n  take  it  un  kyar'  it  home 
un  gin  it  out  w'en  I  come  ter  pass  de  time  wid  Brer  Remus 
un  all  uv  um.  I  'low  ter  myse'f  I'll  take  it  un  kyar'  it 
dar,  un  I'll  des  tell  it  my  own  way." 

"  Well,  den,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  approvingly,  "  me  en 
dish  yer  chap,  we  er  willin'  en  a  waitin',  en  ez  fer  Brer 
Jack  over  dar,  we  kin  say  de  same  fer  him,  kaze  I  up  en 
year  'im  draw  mighty  long  breff  des  now  lak  he  fixin'  fer 
ter  snort.  But  you  neenter  min'  dat  ole  creetur,  Sis 
Tempy.  Des  push  right  ahead." 

"  Ah-h-h-e-e  !  "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  snapping  his 
bright  little  eyes  at  Uncle  Remus  with  some  display  of 
irritation  ;  "  you  tek-a  me  fer  be  sleep  ebry  tarn  I  shed-a 
me  y-eye,  you  is  mek  fool-a  you'se'f.  Warrah  yarrah 
garrah  tarrah  !  "  l 

"  Brer  Remus  !  "  said  Aunt  Tempy,  in  an  awed  whisper, 
"  maybe  he's  a  cunju'n  un  you." 

1  This  is  simply  "  gullah "  negro  talk  intended  to  be  unintelligible,  and 
therefore  impressive.  It  means  "  One  or  the  other  is  as  good  as  t'other." 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TIES   MR.  LION.  335 

"  No-no  !  "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  snappishly,  "  me  no 
cuncher  no'n'  'tall.  Wun  me  cuncher  you  all  you  yeddy 
bone  crack.  Enty  !  " 

"  Well,  in  de  name  er  de  Lord,  don't  come  a  cunju'n 
wid  me,  kaze  I'm  des  as  peaceable  ez  de  day's  long,"  said 
Aunt  Tempy. 

Uncle  Remus  smiled  and  closed  his  eyes  with  an  air  of 
disdain,  caught  from  his  old  Mistress,  the  little  boy's 
grandmother,  long  since  dead. 

"  Tell  yo'  tale,  Sis  Tempy,"  he  said  pleasantly,  "  en 
leave  de  talk  er  cunju'n  ter  de  little  nigger  childun.  We 
er  done  got  too  ole  fer  dat  kinder  foolishness." 

This  was  for  the  ear  of  the  little  boy.  In  his  heart 
Uncle  Remus  was  convinced  that  Daddy  Jack  was  capa- 
ble of  changing  himself  into  the  blackest  of  black  cats, 
with  swollen  tail,  arched  back,  fiery  eyes,  and  protruding 
fangs.  But  the  old  man's  attitude  reassured  Aunt  Tempy, 
as  well  as  the  child,  and  forthwith  she  proceeded  with  her 
story  :  — 

"  Hit  seem  like  dat  one  time  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  fine  hisse'f 
way  off  in  de  middle  er  de  woods,  de  win'  strike  up  un 
'gun  ter  blow.  Hit  blow  down  on  de  groun'  un  it  blow 
up  in  de  top  er  de  timber,  un  it  blow  so  hard  twel  ter- 
reckerly  Brer  Rabbit  tuck  a  notion  dat  he  better  git  out 
fum  dar  To'  de  timber  'gun  ter  fall. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  broke  'en  run,  un,  Man  —  Sir  ! l  w'en 
dat  creetur  run'd  he  run'd ,  now  you  year  wat  I  tell  yer  ! 

1  An  expression  used  to  give  emphasis  and  to  attract  attention ;  used  in  the 
sense  that  Uncle  Remus  uses  "  Gentermens !  " 


336  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

He  broke  un  run,  he  did,  un  he  fa'rly  flew  'way  fum  dar. 
Wiles  he  gwine  'long  full  tilt,  he  run'd  ag'in'  ole  Mr. 
Lion.  Mr.  Lion,  he  hail  'im  ; 

"  <  Heyo,  Brer  Rabbit !     Wat  yo'  hurry  ? ' 

'  Run,  Mr.  Lion,  run  !      Dey's   a  harrycane    comin' 
back  dar  in  de  timbers.     You  better  run  ! ' 

"  Dis  make  Mr.  Lion  sorter  skeer'd.     He  'low  : 

'  I  mos'  too  heavy  fer  ter  run  fur,  Brer  Rabbit.    Wat 
I  gwine  do  ? ' 

'  *  Lay  down,  Mr.  Lion,  lay  down  !  Git  close  ter  de 
groun'  I ' 

"  Mr.  Lion  shake  his  head.     He  'low  : 

:t  'Ef  win'  lierbul  fer  ter  pick  up  little  man  like  you  is, 
Brer  Rabbit,  w'at  it  gwine  do  wid  big  man  like  me  ?  ' 
'  Hug  a  tree,  Mr.  Lion,  hug  a  tree  ! ' 

"  Mr.  Lion  lash  hisse'f  wid  his  tail.     He  'low  : 

r  'Wat  I  gwine  do  ef  de  win'  blow  all  day  un  a  good 
part  er  de  night,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

* '  Lemme  tie  you  ter  de  tree,  Mr  Lion  !  lemme  tie  you 
ter  de  tree  ! ' 

"Mr.  Lion,  he  tuk'n  'gree  ter  dis,  un  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
got  'im  a  hick'ry  split l  un  tie  'im  hard  un  fast  ter  de  tree. 
Den  he  tuck'n  sot  down,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  did,  un  wash  his 
face  un  han's  des  same  ez  you  see  de  cats  doin'.  Terreck- 
erly  Mr.  Lion  git  tired  er  stan'in'  dar  huggin'  de  tree,  un 
he  ax  Brer  Rabbit  w'at  de  reason  he  aint  keep  on  runnin', 
un  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  'low  dat  he  gwine  ter  stay  derun 
take  keer  Mr.  Lion. 

1  Hickory  withe. 


BKOTHEE  RABBIT  TIES   MR.   LION.  337 

"  Terreckerly  Mr.  Lion  say  he  aint  year  no  harrycane. 
Brer  Rabbit  say  he  aint  needer.  Mr.  Lion  say  he 
aint  year  no  win'  a-blowin'.  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  aint 
needer.  Mr.  Lion  say  he  aint  so  much  ez  year  a  leaf 
a-stirrin'.  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  aint  needer.  Mr.  Lion 
sorter  study,  un  Brer  Rabbit  sot  dar,  he  did,  un  wash  his 
face  un  lick  his  paws. 

"  Terreckerly  Mr.  Lion  ax  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  onloose 
'im.  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  fear'd.  Den  Mr.  Lion  git 
mighty  mad,  un  he  'gun  ter  beller  wuss'n  one  er  deze  yer 
bull-yearlin's.  He  beller  so  long  un  he  beller  so  loud  twel 
present'y  de  t'er  creeters  dey  'gun  ter  come  up  fer  ter  see 
w'at  de  matter. 

"Des  soon  ezdey  come  up,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n'gun 
ter  talk  biggity  un  strut  'roun',  un,  Man  —  Sir  !  w'en  dem 
yuthers  see  dat  Brer  Rabbit  done  got  Mr.  Lion  tied  up, 
I  let  you  know  dey  tuck'n  walked  way  'roun'  'im,  un 
'twuz  many  a  long  day  'fo'  dey  tuck'n  pestered  ole  Brer 
Rabbit." 

Here  Aunt  Tempy  paused.  The  little  boy  asked  what 
Brother  Rabbit  tied  Mr.  Lion  for ;  but  she  didn't  know ; 
Uncle  Remus,  however,  came  to  the  rescue. 

"  One  time  long  'fo'  dat,  honey,  Brer  Rabbit  went  ter  de 
branch  fer  ter  git  a  drink  er  water,  en  ole  Mr.  Lion  tuck'n 
druv  'im  off,  en  fum  dat  time  out  Brer  Rabbit  bin  huntin' 
a  chance  fer  ter  ketch  up  wid  'im." 

"Dat's  so,"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  and  then  she  added  : 

'  I  'clare  I  aint  gwine  tell  you  all  not  na'er  n'er  tale, 
dat  I  aint.     Kaze  you  des  set  dar  en  you  aint  crack  a 


338  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    EEMUS. 

smile  fum  de  time  I  begin'.  Ef  dat'd  a  bin  Brer  Remus, 
now,  dey'd  a  bin  mo'  gigglin'  gwine  on  dan  you  kin  shake 
a  stick  at.  I'm  right  down  mad,  dat  I  is.  " 

"  Well,  I  tell  you  dis,  Sis  Tempy,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
with  unusual  emphasis,  "  ef  deze  yer  tales  wuz  des  fun, 
fun,  fun,  en  giggle,  giggle,  giggle,  I  let  you  know  I'd 
a-done  drapt  um  long  ago.  Yasser,  w'en  it  come  down 
ter  gigglin'  you  kin  des  count  ole  Remus  out." 


LVH. 
MR.    LIOWS    SAD    PREDICAMENT. 

THE  discussion  over  Aunt  Tempy's  fragmentary  story 
having  exhausted  itself,  Daddy  Jack  turned  up  his  coat 
collar  until  it  was  as  high  as  the  top  of  his  head,  and  then 
tried  to  button  it  under  his  chin.  If  this  attempt  had 
been  successful,  the  old  African  would  have  presented 
a  diabolical  appearance ;  but  the  coat  refused  to  be  but- 
toned in  that  style.  After  several  attempts,  which  created 
no  end  of  amusement  for  the  little  boy,  Daddy  Jack 
said : 

"Da  Lion,  'e  no  hab  bin  sma't  lak  Brer  Rabbit.  'E 
strong  wit'  'e  fut,  'e  strong  wit'  'e  tush,  but  'e  no  strong 
wit'  'e  head.  'E  bery  foolish,  'cep'  'e  is  bin  hab  chance 
fer  jump  'pon  dem  creetur. 

"  One  tarn  'e  bin  come  by  B'er  Rabbit  in  da  road ;  'e 


MR.   LION'S   SAD  PREDICAMENT.  339 

ahx  um  howdy ;  'e  ahx  um  wey  'e  gwan.  B'er  Eabbit 
say  'e  gwan  git  fum  front  de  Buckra  Man  wut  bin  comin' 
'long  da  road.  B'er  Rabbit  say  : 

' '  Hide  you'se'f,  B'cr  Lion  ;  da  Buckra  ketch-a  you  fer 
true  ;  'e  is  bin  ketch-a  you  tarn  he  pit  'e  y-eye  'pon  you  ; 
'e  mekky  you  sick  wit'  sorry.  Hide  fum  da  Buckra,  B'er 
Lion  ! ' 

"  Da  Lion,  'e  shekky  'e  head  ;  'e  say  : 

' '  Ki !  Me  no  skeer  da  Buckra  Man.  I  glad  fer 
shum.  I  ketch  um  un  I  kyar  um  wey  I  lif ;  me  hab  da 
Buckra  Man  fer  me  bittle.  How  come  you  bein'  skeer 
da  Buckra  Man,  B'er  Eabbit?' 

"  B'er  Rabbit  look  all  'bout  fer  see  ef  da  Buckra  bin 
comin'.  'E  say  : 

"  Me  hab  plenty  reason,  B'er  Lion.  Da  Buckra  Man 
shoot-a  wit  one  gun.  'E  r'ise  um  too  'e  y-eye,  'e  pint  um 
stret  toze  you;  'e  say  bang!  one  tarn,  'e  say  bang!  two 
tarn :  dun  you  is  bin  git  hu't  troo  da  head  un  cripple  in 
da  leg.' 

"  Lion,  'e  shek  'e  head ;  'e  say  : 

f  'Me  no  skeer  da  Buckra  Man.  I  grab-a  da  gun.  I 
ketch  um  fer  me  brekwus.' 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  lahff;  'e  say: 

"Himquare  fer  true.  Me  skeer  da  Buckra,  me  no 
skeer  you ;  but  you  no  skeer  da  Buckra.  How  come 
dis?' 

"  Da  Lion  lash  'e  tail ;  'e  say  : 

' '  Me  no  skeer  da  Buckra,  but  me  skeer  da  Pa'tridge  ; 
me  berry  skeer  da  Pa'tridge.' 


340  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    KEMUS. 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  lahff  tell  'e  kin  lahfF  no  mo'.  'E 
say : 

'*  '  How  come  you  skeer  da  Pa'tridge  ?  'E  fly  wun  you 
wink-a  you' eye ;  'e  run  un  'e  fly.  Hoo  !  me  no  skeer 
'bout  dem  Pa'tridge.  Me  skeer  da  Buckra.' 

"  Da  Lion,  'e  look  all  'bout  fer  see  ef  da  Pa'tridge  bin 
comin'.  'E  say : 

' r  I  skeer  da  Pa'tridge.  Wun  me  bin  walk  in  da  bush- 
side,  da  Pa'tridge  'e  hoF  right  still  'pon  da  groun'  tell  me 
come  dey-dey,  un  dun  'e  fly  up — fud-d-d-d-d-d-e-e! 
Wun  'e  is  bin  do  dat  me  is  git-a  skeer  berry  bahd." 

No  typographical  device  could  adequately  describe 
Daddy  Jack's  imitation  of  the  flushing  of  a  covey  of 
partridges,  or  quail ;  but  it  is  needless  to  say  that  it  made 
its  impression  upon  the  little  boy.  The  old  African  went 
on  : 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  holler  un  lahff;  'e  say  : 

' '  Me  no  skeer  da  Pa'tridge.  I  bin  run  dem  up  ebry 
day.  Da  no  hu't-a  you,  B'er  Lion.  You  hoi'  you'  eye 
'pon  da  Buckra  Man.  Da  Pa'tridge,  'e  no  hab  no  gun 
fer  shoot-a  you  wit' ;  da  Buckra,  'e  is  bin  hab  one  gun 
two  tarn.1  Let  da  Pa'tridge  fly,  B'er  Lion  ;  but  wun  da 
Buckra  Man  come  you  bes'  keep  in  de  shady  side.  I  tell 
you  dis,  B'er  Lion.' 

"  Da  Lion,  'e  stan'  um  down  'e  no  skeer  da  Buckra 
Man,  un  bimeby  'e  say  goo'-bye ;  'e  say  'e  gwan  look  fer 
da  Buckra  Man  fer  true. 

"  So  long  tarn,  B'er  Rabbit  is  bin  yeddy  one  big  fuss  in 

1  One  gun  two  times  is  a  double-barrelled  gun. 


MR.   LION'S   SAD  PREDICAMENT.  341 

da  timber;  'e  yeddy  da  Lion  v'ice.  B'er  Rabbit  foller 
da  fuss  tell  'e  is  bin  come  'pon  da  Lion  wey  'e  layin'  'pon 
da  groun'.  Da  Lion,  'e  is  moan  ;  'e  is  groan;  'e  is  cry. 
'E  hab  hole  in  'e  head,  one,  two,  three  hole  in  'e  side ;  'e 
holler,  'e  groan.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  alix  um  howdy.  'E  say  : 

" '  Ki,  B'er  Lion,  wey  you  hab  fine  so  much  trouble  ? ' 

"  Da  Lion,  'e  moan,  'e  groan,  'e  cry  ;  'e  say  : 

' '  Ow,  ma  Lord !  I  hab  one  hole  in  me  head,  one, 
two,  free  hole  in  me  side,  me  leg  bin  bruk  !  ' 

"  B'er  Rabbit  bin  hoi'  e'  head  'pon  one  side ;  'e  look 
skeer.  'E  say  : 

"'Ki,  B'er  Lion  !  I  no  know  da  Pa'tridge  is  so  bahd 
lak  dat.  I  t'ink  'e  fly  way  un  no  hu't-a  you.  Shuh- 
shuh  !  wun  I  see  dem  Pa'tridge  I  mus'  git  'pon  turrer  side 
fer  keep  me  hide  whole.' 

"  Da  Lion,  'e  groan,  'e  moan,  'e  cry.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e 
say  : 

' '  Da  Pa'tridge,  'e  berry  bahd ;  'e  mus'  bin  borry  da 
Buckra  Man  gun.' 

"  Da  Lion,  'e  groan,  'e  cry  : 

" '  'E  no  da  Pa'tridge  no'n  'tall.  Da  Buckra  Man  is  bin 
stan'  way  off  un  shoot-a  me  wit'  'e  gun.  Ow,  ma 
Lord  I ' 

"  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  h'ist  'e  han' ;  'e  say  : 

" '  Wut  I  bin  tell-a  you,  B'er  Lion?  Wut  I  bin  tell 
you  'bout  da  Buckra  Man  ?  Da  Pa'tridge  no  hu't-a  you 
lak  dis.  'E  mek-a  da  big  fuss,  but  'e  no  hu't-a  you  lak 
dis.  Da  Buckra  Man,  'e  no  mek  no  fuss  'cep'  'ep'int  'e 
gun  at  you  —  bang  I ' : 


342  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"And  what  then?"  the  little  boy  asked,  as  Daddy 
Jack  collapsed  in  his  seat,  seemingly  forgetful  of  all 
his  surroundings. 

"No'n  'tall,"  replied  the  old  African,  somewhat  curtly. 

"De  p'ints  er  dat  tale,  honey,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  cov- 
ering the  brusqueness  of  Daddy  Jack  with  his  own 
amiability,  "is  des  'bout  lak  dis,  dat  dey  aint  no  use  er 
dodgin'  w'iles  dey's  a  big  fuss  gwine  on,  but  you  better 
take'n  hide  out  w'en  dey  aint  no  racket ;  mo'  speshually 
w'en  you  see  Miss  Sally  lookin'  behine  de  lookin'-glass 
fer  dat  ar  peach-lim'  w'at  she  tuck'n  make  me  kyar  up  dar 
day  'fo'  yistiddy ;  yit  w'en  she  fine  it  don't  you  git  too 
skeer'd,  kaze  I  tuck'n  make  some  weak  places  in  dat  ar 
switch,  en  Miss  Sally  won't  mo'n  strak  you  wid  it  'fo' 
hit  '11  all  come  onjinted." 

Parts  of  this  moral  the  little  boy  understood  thor- 
oughly, for  he  laughed,  and  ran  to  the  big-house,  and 
not  long  afterwards  the  light  went  out  in  Uncle  Remus's 
cabin ;  but  the  two  old  negroes  sat  and  nodded  by  the 
glowing  embers  for  hours  afterwards,  dreaming  dreams 
they  never  told  of. 


THE   ORIGIN   OF  THE   OCEAN.  343 


LVIII. 

THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE  OCEAN. 

"UNCLE  REMUS,"  said  the  little  boy,  one  night  shortly 
after  Daddy  Jack's  story  of  the  lion's  sad  predicament 
"  mamma  says  there  are  no  lions  in  Georgia,  nor  any- 
where in  the  whole  country." 

"  Tooby  sho'ly  not,  honey ;  tooby  sho'ly  not !  "  ex- 
claimed Uncle  Remus.  "I  dunner  who  de  name  of 
goodness  bin  a-puttin'  dat  kinder  idee  in  yo'  head,  en 
dey  better  not  lemme  fine  urn  out,  needer,  kaze  I'll  take 
en  put  Mars.  John  atter  um  right  raw  and  rank,  dat 
I  will." 

"  Well,  you  know  Daddy  Jack  said  that  Brother 
Rabbit  met  the  Lion  coming  down  the  road." 

"  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey !  dat's  way  'cross  de  water 
whar  ole  man  Jack  tuck'n  come  fum,  en  a  mighty  long 
time  ergo  at  dat.  Hit's  a  way  off  yan,  lots  furder  dan  Fer- 
ginny  jit.  We-all  er  on  one  side  de  water,  en  de  lions 
en  mos'  all  de  yuther  servigous  creeturs,  dey  er  on  t'er 
side.  Aint  I  never  tell  you  how  come  dat  ?  " 

The  little  boy  shook  his  head. 

"Well,  sir!  I  dunner  w'at  I  bin  doin'  all  dis  time 
dat  I  aint  tell  you  dat,  kaze  dat's  whar  de  wussest  kinder 
doin's  tuck'n  happen.  Yasser  !  de  wussest  kinder  doin's  ; 


344  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

en  Fll  des  whirl  in  en  gin  it  out  right  now  'fo'  ole  man 
Jack  come  wobblin'  in. 

"One  time  way  back  yonder,  'fo'  dey  wuz  any  folks 
afoolin'  'roun',  Mr.  Lion,  he  tuck'n  tuck  a  notion  dat  he'd 
go  huntin',  en  nothin'  'ud  do  'im  but  Brer  Rabbit  must 
go  wid  'im.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low  dat  he  up  fer  any 
kinder  fun  on  top  side  er  de  groun'.  Wid  dat  dey  put 
out,  dey  did,  en  dey  hunt  en  hunt  clean  'cross  de  country. 

"Mr.  Lion,  he'd  lam  aloose  en  miss  de  game,  en  den 
Brer  Rabbit,  he'd  lam  aloose  en  fetch  it  down.  No 
sooner  is  he  do  dis  dan  Mr.  Lion,  he'd  squall  out  : 

"  <  Hit's  mine  !  hit's  mine  !   I  kilt  it ! ' 

"  Mr.  Lion  sech  a  big  man  dat  Brer  Rabbit  skeer'd  ter 
'spute  'long  wid  'im,  but  he  lay  it  up  in  he  min'  fer  to  git 
even  wid  'im.  Dey  went  on  en  dey  went  on.  Mr.  Lion, 
he'd  lam  aloose  en  miss  de  game,  en  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he'd 
lam  aloose  en  hit  it,  en  Mr.  Lion,  he'd  take'n  whirl  in 
en  claim  it. 

"Dey  hunt  all  day  long,  en  w'en  night  come,  dey  'uz 
sech  a  fur  ways  fum  home  dat  dey  hatter  camp  out.  Dey 
went  on,  dey  did,  twel  dey  come  ter  a  creek,  en  w'en  dey 
come  ter  dat,  dey  tuck'n  scrape  away  de  trash  en  built 
um  a  fire  on  de  bank,  en  cook  dey  supper. 

"  Atter  supper  dey  sot  up  dar  en  tole  tales,  dey  did, 
en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  brag  'bout  w'at  a  good  hunter 
Mr.  Lion  is,  en  Mr.  Lion,  he  leant  back  on  he  yelbow, 
en  feel  mighty  biggity.  Bimeby,  w'en  dey  eyeleds  git 
sorter  heavy,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  'low  : 

"'I'm  a  monst'us  heavy  sleeper,  Mr.  Lion,  w'en  I  gits 


THE   ORIGIN  OF  THE   OCEAN.  345 

ter  nappin',  en  I  hope  en  trus'  I  ain't  gwine  'sturb  you 
dis  night,  yit  I  got  my  doubts.' 

"  Mr.  Lion,  he  roach  he  ha'r  back  outen  he  eyes,  en  'low  : 
"I'm  a  monst'us  heavy  sleeper,  myse'f,  Brer  Rabbit, 
en  I'll  feel  mighty  glad  ef  I  don't  roust  you  up  in  de  co'se 
er  de  night.' 

"Brer   Rabbit,   he   tuck'n  change    his   terbacker   fum 
one  side  he  mouf  ter  de  yuther,  he  did,  en  he  up'n  'low : 
r'Mr.  Lion,  I  wish  you  be  so  good  ez  ter  show  me 
how  you  sno'  des  'fo'  you  git  soun'  asleep.' 

"  Mr.  Lion,  he  tuck'n  draw  in  he  breff  sorter  hard,  en 
show  Brer  Rabbit ;  den  Brer  Rabbit  'low  : 

' '  Mr.  Lion,  I  wish  you  be  so  good  ez  ter  show  me 
how  you  sno'  atter  you  done  git  soun'  asleep.' 

"  Mr.  Lion,  he  tuck'n  suck  in  he  breff,  en  eve'y  time 
he  suck  in  he  breff  it  soun'  des  lak  a  whole  passel  er 
mules  w'en  dey  whinney  atter  fodder.  Brer  Rabbit  look 
'stonish'.  He  roll  he  eye  en  'low  ; 

r'I  year  tell  youer  mighty  big  man,  Mr.  Lion,  en 
you  sho'ly  is.' 

"Mr.  Lion,  he  hoi'  he  head  one  side  en  try  ter  look 
'shame',  but  all  de  same  he  aint  feel  'shame'.  Bimeby, 
he  shot  he  eye  en  'gun  ter  nod,  den  he  lay  down  en  stretch 
hisse'f  out,  en  'twan't  long  'fo'  he  'gun  ter  sno'  lak  he 
sno'  w'en  he  aint  sleepin'  soun'. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  lay  dar.  He  aint  sayin'  nothin'. 
He  lay  dar  wid  one  year  h'ist  up  en  one  eye  open.  He 
lay  dar,  he  did,  en  bimeby  Mr.  Lion  'gun  ter  sno'  lak  he 
sno'  w'en  he  done  gone  fas'  ter  sleep. 


346  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

"  Wen  ole  Brer  Rabbit  year  dis,  he  git  up  fura 
dar,  en  sprinkle  hisse'f  wid  de  cole  ashes  'roun'  de  fier,  en 
den  he  tuck'n  fling  er  whole  passel  der  hot  embers  on  Mr. 
Lion.  Mr.  Lion,  he  jump  up,  he  did,  en  ax  who  done 
dat,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  lay  dar  en  kick  at  he  year  wid  he 
behime  foot,  en  holler  '  Ow! ' 

"  Mr.  Lion  see  de  ashes  on  Brer  Rabbit,  en  he  dunner 
w'at  ter  think.  He  look  all  'roun',  but  he  aint  see  nothin'. 
He  drap  he  head  en  lissen,  but  he  aint  year  nothin'. 
Den  he  lay  down  'g'in  en  drap  off  ter  sleep.  Atter  w'ile, 
w'en  he  'gun  ter  sno'  lak  he  done  befo',  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
jump  up  en  sprinkle  some  mo'  cole  ashes  on  hisse'f,  en 
fling  de  hot  embers  on  Mr.  Lion.  Mr.  Lion  jump  up, 
he  did,  en  holler : 

f '  Dar  you  is  ag'in  !  * 

''Brer  Rabbit,  he  kick  en  squall,  en  'low : 

'  You  oughter  be  'shame'  yo'se'f,  Mr.  Lyon,  fer  ter  be 
tryin'  ter  bu'n  me  up.' 

"  Mr.  Lion  hoi'  up  he  han's  en  des  vow  'tain't  him. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  look  sorter  jubous,  but  he  aint  say 
nothin'.  Bimeby  he  holler  out : 

' '  Phewee  !    I  smells  rags  a  bu'nin' ! ' 

"Mr.  Lion,  he  sorter  flinch,  he  did,  en  'low : 

""Tain't  no  rags,  Brer  Rabbit;  hit's  my  ha'r  a 
sinjin'.' 

"  Dey  look  all  'roun',  dey  did,  but  dey  aint  see  nothin' 
ner  nobody.  Brer  Rabbit  he  say  he  gwine  do  some  tall 
watchin'  nex'  time,  kaze  he  boun'  ter  ketch  de  somebody 
w'at  bin  play  in'  dem  kinder  pranks  on  um.  Wid  dat, 


THE   ORIGIN  OF  THE   OCEAN.  347 

Mr.  Lion  lay  down  'g'in,    en  'twan't   long  'fo'  he  drap 
ter  sleep. 

"Well,  den,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  taking  a  long 
breath,  "de  ve'y  same  kinder  doin's  tuck'n  happen.  De 
cole  ashes  fall  on  Brer  Rabbit,  en  de  hot  embers  fall  on 
Mr.  Lion.  But  by  de  time  Mr.  Lion  jump  up,  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  holler  out : 

'  I  seed  um,  Mr.  Lion  !     I  seed  um  !     I  seed  de  way 
dey  come  fum  'cross  de  creek  !     Dey  mos'  sho'ly  did  ! ' 

"  Wid  dat  Mr.  Lion,  he  fetch'd  a  beller  en  he  jumped 
'cross  de  creek.  No  sooner  is  he  do  dis,"  Uncle  Remus 
went  on  in  a  tone  at  once  impressive  and  confidential, 
"  no  sooner  is  he  do  dis  dan  Brer  Rabbit  cut  de  string 
w'at  hoi'  de  banks  togedder,  en,  lo  en  beholes,  dar  dey 
wuz  ! " 

"What  was,  Uncle  Remus?"  the  little  boy  asked, 
more  amazed  than  he  had  been  in  many  a  day. 

"Bless  yo'  soul,  honey,  de  banks!  Co'se  w'en  Brer 
Rabbit  tuck'n  cut  de  string,  de  banks  er  de  creek,  de 
banks,  dey  fall  back,  dey  did,  en  Mr.  Lion  can't  jump 
back.  De  banks  dey  keep  on  fallin'  back,  en  de  creek 
keep  on  gittin'  wider  en  wider,  twel  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit 
en  Mr.  Lion  aint  in  sight  er  one  er  n'er,  en  fum  dat  day 
to  dis  de  big  waters  bin  rollin'  'twix  um." 

"But,  Uncle  Remus,  how  could  the  banks  of  a  creek 
be  tied  with  a  string?" 

"  I  aint  ax  um  dat,  honey,  en  darfo'  you'll  hatter  take 
um  ez  you  git  um.  Nex'  time  de  tale-teller  come  roun' 
I'll  np'n  ax  'im,  en  if  you  aint  too  fur  off,  I'll  whirl  in 


348  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

en  sen'  you  wud,  en  den  you  kin  go  en  see  fer  yo'se'f. 
But  'taint  skacely  wuth  yo'  wile  fer  ter  blame  me,  honey, 
'bout  de  creek  banks  bein'  tied  wid  a  string.  Who  put 
um  dar,  I  be  bless  ef  /knows,  but  I  knows  who  onloose 
um,  dat  w'at  I  knows  !  " 

It  is  very  doubtful  if  this  copious  explanation  was  satis- 
factory to  the  child,  but  just  as  Uncle  Remus  concluded, 
Daddy  Jack  came  shuffling  in,  and  shortly  afterwards 
both  Aunt  Tempy  and  'Tildy  put  in  an  appearance,  and 
the  mind  of  the  youngster  was  diverted  to  other  matters. 


LIX. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  BROTHER  FOX'S 
DINNER. 

AFTER  the  new-comers  had  settled  themselves  in  their 
accustomed  places,  and  'Tildy  had  cast  an  unusual  number 
of  scornful  glances  at  Daddy  Jack,  who  made  quite  a 
pantomime  of  his  courtship,  Uncle  Remus  startled  them  all 
somewhat  by  breaking  into  a  loud  laugh. 

"I  boun'  you,"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy,  grinning  with 
enthusiastic  sympathy,  "  I  boun'  you  Brer  Remus  done 
fine  out  some  mo'  er  Brer  Rabbit  funny  doin's  ;  now  I 
boun'  you  dat." 

"You  hit  it  de  fus  clip,  Sis  Tempy,  I  'clar  ter  gracious 


BRO.    RABBIT   GETS  BRO.   FOX'S   DINNER.         349 

ef  you  aint.  You  nailed  it !  You  nailed  it,"  Uncle 
Remus  went  on,  laughing  as  boisterously  as  before,  "  des 
lak  ole  Brer  Rabbit  done." 

The  little  boy  was  very  prompt  with  what  Uncle  Remus 
called  his  "inquirements,"  and  the  old  man,  after  the 
usual  "  hems  "  and  "  haws,"  began. 

"  Hit  run'd  cross  my  min'  des  lak  a  rat  'long  a  rafter, 
de  way  ole  Brer  Rabbit  tuk'n  done  Brer  Fox.  'Periently, 
atter  Brer  Rabbit  done  went  en  put  a  steeple  on  top  er  he 
house,  all  de  yuther  creeturs  wanter  fix  up  dey  house. 
Some  put  new  cellars  und'  um,  some  slapped  on  new 
winderblines,  some  one  thing  and  some  er  n'er,  but  ole 
Brer  Fox,  he  tuck  a  notion  dat  he'd  put  some  new  shingles 
on  de  roof. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  year  tell  er  dis,  en  nothin'd 
do  but  he  mus'  rack  roun'  en  see  how  ole  Brer  Fox  gittin' 
on.  Wen  he  git  whar  Brer  Fox  house  is,  he  year  a 
mighty  lammin'  en  a  blammin',  en  lo  en  beholes,  dar  'uz 
Brer  Fox  settin'  straddle  er  de  comb  er  de  roof  nailin'  on 
shingles  des  hard  ez  he  kin. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  cut  he  eye  'roun'  en  he  see  Brer  Fox 
dinner  settin'  in  de  fence-cornder.  Hit  *uz  kivered  up  in 
a  bran  new  tin  pail,  en  it  look  so  nice,  dat  Brer  Rabbit 
mouf  'gun  ter  water  time  he  see  it,  en  he  'low  ter  his- 
se'f  dat  he  bleedz  ter  eat  dat  dinner  To'  he  go  'way  fum 
dar. 

ft  Den  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  hail  Brer  Fox,  en  ax  'im  how 
he  come  on.  Brer  Fox  'low  he  too  busy  to  hoi'  any  con- 
fab. Brer  Rabbit  up  en  ax  'im  w'at  is  he  doin'  up  dar. 


350  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Brer  Fox  'low  dat  he  puttin'  roof  on  he  house  'gin  de 
rainy  season  sot  in.  Den  Brer  Rabbit  up  en  ax  Brer  Fox 
w'at  time  is  it,  en  Brer  Fox,  he  'low  dat  hit's  wukkin  time 
wid  him.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up  en  ax  Brer  Fox  ef  he  aint 
stan'  in  needs  er  some  he'p.  Brer  Fox,  he  'low  he  did, 
dat  ef  he  does  stan'  in  needs  er  any  he'p,  he  dunner  whar 
in  de  name  er  goodness  he  gwine  to  git  it  at. 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  sorter  pull  he  mustarsh,  en 
'low  dat  de  time  wuz  w'en  he  'uz  a  mighty  handy  man 
wid  a  hammer,  en  he  aint  too  proud  fer  to  whirl  in  en  he'p 
Brer  Fox  out'n  de  ruts. 

"Brer  Fox  'low  he  be  mighty  much  erblige,  en  no 
sooner  is  he  say  dat  dan  Brer  Rabbit  snatched  off  he  coat 
en  lipt  up  de  ladder,  en  sot  in  dar  en  put  on  mo'  shingles 
in  one  hour  dan  Brer  Fox  kin  put  on  in  two. 

"Oh,  he  'uz  a  rattler  —  ole  Brer  Rabbit  wuz,"  Uncle 
Remus  exclaimed,  noticing  a  questioning  look  in  the  child's 
face.  "  He  'uz  a  rattler,  mon,  des  ez  sho'  ez  youer  set- 
tin'  dar.  Dey  want  no  kinder  wuk  dat  Brer  Rabbit  can't 
put  he  han'  at,  en  do  it  better  dan  de  nex'  man. 

"He  nailed  on  shingles  plum  twel  he  git  tired,  Brer 
Rabbit  did,  en  all  de  time  he  nailin',  he  study  how  he 
gwine  git  dat  dinner.  He  nailed  en  he  nailed.  He  'ud 
nail  one  row,  en  Brer  Fox  'ud  nail  n'er  row.  He  nail'd 
en  he  nail'd.  He  kotch  Brer  Fox  en  pass  'im  —  kotch  'im 
en  pass  'im,  twel  bimeby  wiles  he  nailin'  'long,  Brer  Fox 
tail  git  in  he  way. 

"Brer  Rabbit  'low  ter  hisse'f,  he  did,  dat  he  dunner 
w'at  de  name  er  goodness  make  folks  have  such  long  tails 


BRO.   RABBIT  GETS  BRO.   FOX'S  DINNER.         351 

for,  en  he  push  it  out  de  way.  He  aint  no  mo'n  push  it 
out'n  de  way,  'fo'  yer  it  come  back  in  de  way.  Co'se," 
continued  Uncle  Remus,  beginning  to  look  serious,  "w'en 
dat's  de  case  dat  a  soon  man  lak  Brer  Rabbit  git  pester'd  in 
he  ruin',  he  bleedz  ter  make  some  kinder  accidents  some'rs. 

"Dey  nail'd  en  dey  nail'd,  en,  bless  yo'  soul!  'twa'n't 
long  'fo'  Brer  Fox  drap  eve'ything  en  squall  out : 

' '  Laws  'a'  massy,  Brer  Rabbit !  You  done  nail  my 
tail.  He'p  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  he'p  me  !  You  done  nail 
my  tail ! ' 

Uncle  Remus  waved  his  arms,  clasped  and  unclasped 
his  hands,  stamped  first  one  foot(and  then  the  other,  and 
made  various  other  demonstrations  of  grief  and  suffering. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  shot  fus  one  eye  en  den  de  yuther  en 
rub  hisse'f  on  de  forrer'd,  en  'low : 

"'Sho'ly  I  aint  nail  yo'  tail,  Brer  Fox;  sho'ly  not. 
Look  right  close,  Brer  Fox,  be  keerful.  Fer  goodness 
sake  don'  fool  me,  Brer  Fox  ! ' 

"Brer  Fox,  he  holler,  he  squall,  he  kick,  he  squeal. 

' '  Laws  V  massy,  Brer  Rabbit !  You  done  nail'd  my 
tail.  Onnail  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  onnail  me  ! ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  fer  de  ladder,  en  w'en  he  start 
down,  he  look  at  Brer  Fox  lak  he  right  down  sorry,  en 
he  up'n  'low,  he  did  : 

"'Well,  well,  well!  Des  ter  think  dat  I  should  er 
lamm'd  aloose  en  nail  Brer  Fox  tail.  I  dunner  w'en  I 
year  tell  er  anything  dat  make  me  feel  so  mighty  bad ; 
en  ef  I  hadn't  er  seed  it  wid  my  own  eyes  I  wouldn't  er 
bleev'd  it  skacely  —  dat  I  wouldn't ! ' 


352  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

"Brer  Fox  holler,  Brer  Fox  howl,  yit  'taint  do  no 
good.  Dar  he  wuz  wid  he  tail  nail  hard  en  fas'.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  keep  on  talkin'  w'iles  he  gwine  down  de  ladder. 

"'Hit  make  me  feel  so  mighty  bad,'  sezee,  'dat  I 
dunner  w'at  ter  do.  Time  I  year  tell  un  it,  hit  make  a 
empty  place  come  in  my  stomach,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"By  dis  time  Brer  Rabbit  done  git  down  on  de  groun', 
en  w'iles  Brer  Fox  holler'n,  he  des  keep  on  a  talkin'. 

"'Deys  a  mighty  empty  place  in  my  stomach,' sezee, 
'  en  ef  I  aint  run'd  inter  no  mistakes  dey's  a  tin-pail  full 
er  vittles  in  dish  yer  fence-cornder  dat'll  des  'bout  fit  it,' 
sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"He  open  de  pail,  he  did,  en  he  eat  de  greens,  en  sop 
up  de  'lasses,  en  drink  de  pot-liquor,  en  w'en  he  wipe  he 
mouf  'pun  he  coat-tail,  he  up'n  'low  : 

' ?  I  dunner  w'en  I  bin  so  sorry  'bout  anything,  ez  I  is 
'bout  Brer  Fox  nice  long  tail.  Sho'ly,  sho'ly  my  head 
mus'  er  bin  wool-getherin'  w'en  I  tuck'n  nail  Brer  Fox 
fine  long  tail,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat,  he  tuck'n  skip  out,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en 
'twan't  long  'fo'  he  uz  playin'  he  pranks  in  some  yuther 
parts  er  de  settlement." 

"How  did  Brother  Fox  get  loose?"  the  little  boy 
asked. 

"  Oh,  you  let  Brer  Fox  'lone  fer  dat,"  responded  Uncle 
Remus.  "Nex'  ter  Brer  Rabbit,  ole  Brer  Fox  wuz  mos' 
de  shiftiest  creetur  gwine.  I  boun'  you  he  tuck'n  tuck 
keer  hisse'f  soon  ez  Brer  Rabbit  git  outer  sight  en 
year'n." 


HOW  THE  BEAR  NURSED  THE  ALLIGATOR.       353 


LX. 

HOW  THE  BEAR  NURSED   THE  LITTLE 
ALLIGATOR. 

WHILE  the  negroes  were  talking  of  matters  which  the 
little  boy  took  little  or  no  interest  in,  he  climbed  into 
Uncle  Remus's  lap,  as  he  had  done  a  thousand  times  be- 
fore. Presently  the  old  man  groaned,  and  said  : 

"  I  be  bless  ef  I  know  w'at  de  marter,  honey.  I  dun- 
ner  whe'er  I'm  a  gittin'  fibble  in  de  lim's,  er  whe'er  youer 
outgrowin'  me.  I  lay  I'll  hatter  sen'  out  en  git  you  a 
nuss  w'at  got  mo'  strenk  in  dey  lim's  dan  w'at  I  is." 

The  child  protested  that  he  wasn't  very  heavy,  and  that 
he  wouldn't  have  any  nurse,  and  the  old  man  was  about 
to  forget  that  he  had  said  anything  about  nurses,  when 
Daddy  Jack,  who  seemed  to  be  desirous  of  appearing 
good-humored  in  the  presence  of  'Tildy,  suddenly  ex- 
claimed : 

"  Me  bin  yeddy  one  tale  'bout  da  tarn  w'en  da  lil  Bear 
is  bin  nuss  da  'Gator  chilluns.  'E  bin  mek  fine  nuss  fer 
true.  'E  stan'  by  dem  lilly  'Gator  tell  dey  no  mo'  fer 
stan'  by." 

Seeing  that  Daddy  Jack  manifested  symptoms  of  going 
to  sleep,  the  little  boy  asked  if  he  wouldn't  tell  the  story, 
and,  thus  appealed  to,  the  old  African  began  : 

"  One  tarn  dey  is  bin  one  ole  Bear ;  'e  big  un  'e  strong. 


354  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

'E  lif  way  in  da  swamp ;  'e  hab  nes'  in  da  holler  tree. 
'E  hab  one,  two  lilly  Bear  in  da  nes' ;  'e  bin  lub  dem 
chillun  berry  ha'd.  One  day,  'e  git  honkry ;  'e  tell  'e 
chillun  'e  gwan  way  off  fer  git-a  some  bittle  fer  eat ;  'e 
tell  dem  dey  mus'  be  good  chillun  un  stay  wey  dey  lif. 
yE  say  'e  gwan  fer  fetch  dem  one  fish  fer  dey  brekwus. 
Dun  'e  gone  off. 

"  Da  lil  Bear  chillun  hab  bin  sleep  till  dey  kin  sleep  no 
mo'.  Da  sun,  'e  der  shine  worn,  'e  mekky  lilly  Bear  feel 
worn.  Da  lil  boy  Bear,  'e  rub  'e  y-eye,  'e  say  'e  gwan 
off  fer  hab  some  fun.  Da  lil  gal  Bear,  'e  say : 

"  f  Wut  will  we  mammy  say  ? ' 

"  Lil  boy  Bear,  'e  der  lahff.     'E  say  : 
' '  Me  gwan  down  by  da  crik  side  fer  ketch  some  fish 
'fo'  we  mammy  come.' 

"  Lil  gal  Bear,  'e  look  skeer  ;  'e  say  : 

*  We  mammy  say  somet'ing  gwan  git-a  you.     Min' 
wut  'e  tell  you.' 

"  Lil  boy  Bear,  'e  keep  on  lahff.     'E  say  : 
f '  Shuh-shuh  !     'E  yent  nebber  know  less  you  tell  um. 
You  no  tell  um,  me  fetch-a  you  one  big  fish.' 

"  Lil  boy  Bear,  'e  gone  !  'E  gone  by  da  crik  side,  'e 
tek  'e  hook,  'e  tek  'e  line,  'e  is  go  by  da  crik  side  fer 
ketch  one  fish.  Wun  'e  come  dey-dey,  'e  see  somet'ing 
lay  dey  in  de  mud.  'E  t'ink  it  bin  one  big  log.  'E  lahff 
by  'ese'f ;  'e  say  : 

""E  one  fine  log  fer  true.  Me  'tan'  'pon  da  log  fer 
ketch-a  da  fish  fer  me  lil  titty.' 1 

1  Sissy. 


HOW  THE  BEAR  NURSED  THE   ALLIGATOR.       355 

"  Lil  boy  Bear,  'e  der  jump  down ;  'e  git  'pon  da  log  ; 
'e  fix  fer  fish  ;  'e  fix  'e  hook,  'e  fix  'e  line.  Bumbye  da 
log  moof.  Da  lil  boy  Bear  holler  : 

"'OwmaLordy!' 

"'E  look  down;  'e  skeer  mos' dead.  Da  log  bin  one 
big  'Gator.  Da  'Gator  'e  swim  'way  wit'  da  lil  boy  Bear 
'pon  'e  bahck.  'E  flat  'e  tail,  'e  knock  da  lil  boy  Bear 
spang  in  'e  two  han'.  'E  grin  wide,  'e  feel  da  lil  boy 
Bear  wit'  'e  nose  ;  'e  say  : 

'  'I  tekky  you  wey  me  lif;  me  chillun  is  hab  you  fer 
dey  brekwus.' 

"Da  'Gator,  'e  bin  swim  toze  da  hole  in  da  bank  wey  'e 
lif.  'E  come  by  da  hole,  'e  ca'  da  lil  boy  Bear  in  dey. 
}E  is  call  up  'e  chillun  ;  'e  say  : 

*  *  Come  see  how  fine  brekwus  me  bin  brung  you.' 

"Da  ole  'Gator,  'e  hab  seben  chillun  in  'e  bed.  Da  lil 
boy  Bear  git  skeer ;  'e  holler,  'e  cry,  'e  beg.  'E  say  : 

' '  Please,  Missy  'Gator,  gib  me  chance  fer  show 
you  how  fine  nuss  me  is  —  please,  Missy  'Gator. 
Wun  you  gone  'way,  me  min'  dem  chillun,  me  min' 
um  well.' 

"  Da  'Gator  flut  'e  tail ;  'e  say  : 

' '  I  try  you  dis  one  day ;  you  min'  dem  lil  one  well, 
me  luf  you  be.' 

"  Da  ole  'Gator  gone  way ;  'e  luf  da  lil  boy  Bear  fer 
min'  'e  chillun.  'E  gone  git  somet'ing  fer  dey  brekwus. 
Da  lil  boy  Bear,  'e  set  down  dey-dey ;  'e  min'  dem  chil- 
lun ;  'e  wait  un  'e  wait.  Bumbye,  'e  is  git  honkry.  'E 
wait  un  'e  wait.  'E  min'  dem  chillun.  'E  wait  un  'e 


356  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

wait.  'E  'come  so  honkry,  'e  yent  mos'  kin  hoi'  up  'e 
head.  'E  suck  'e  paw.  'E  wait  un  'e  wait.  Da  'Gator 
no  come.  'E  wait  un  'e  wait.  Da  'Gator  no  come  some 
ino'.  'E  say.: 

' '  Ow  !  me  no  gwan  starf  me  se'f  wun  da  planty  bittle 
by  side  er  me  ! ' 

"  Da  lil  boy  Bear  grab  one  da  lil  'Gator  by  'e  neck  ;  'e 
tek  um  off  in  da  bush  side  ;  'e  der  eat  um  up.  'E  no  lea' 
'e  head,  'e  no  leaf  'e  tail ;  'e  yent  leaf  iiuttin  tall.  'E  go 
bahck  wey  da  turrer  lil  'gator  bin  huddle  up  in  da  bed. 
'E  rub  'ese'f  'pon  da  'tomach  ;  'e  say  : 

c '  Hoo  !  me  feel-a  too  good  fer  tahlk  'bout.  I  no 
know  wut  me  gwan  fer  tell  da  ole  'Gator  wun  'e  is  come 
bahck.  Ki !  me  no  keer.  Me  feel  too  good  fer  t'ink 
'bout  dem  t'ing.  Me  t'ink  'bout  dem  wun  da  'Gator  is 
bin  come  ;  me  t'ink  'bout  dem  bumbye  wun  da  time  come 
fer  t'ink.' 

"  Da  lil  boy  Bear  lay  down  ;  'e  quile  up  in  da  'Gator 
bed ;  'e  shed  'e  y-eye ;  'e  sleep  ha'd  lak  bear  do  wun  ef 
full  up.  Bumbye  mos'  toze  night,  da  'Gator  come ;  'e 
holler : 

'  Hey  !  lil  boy  Bear  !      How  you  is  kin  min'  me  chil- 
lun  wun  you  is  gone  fer  sleep  by  um  ? ' 

"  Da  lil  boy  Bear,  'e  set  up  'pon  'e  ha'nch  ;  'e  say  : 

'Me    y-eye    gone    fer    sleep,    but    me    year    wide 
'wake.' 

"  Da  'Gator  flut  'e  tail ;  'e  say  : 

"  Wey  me  chillun  wut  me  leaf  you  wit'  ? '    ^ 

"  Da  lil  boy  Bear  'come  skeer ;  'e  say  : 


HOW  THE  BEAR  NURSED  THE  ALLIGATOR.       357 

f '  Dey  all  dey-dey,  Missy  'Gator.  Wait !  lemme 
count  dem,  Missy  'Gator  : 

"  '  Yarrdh  one,  yarrah  narrah, 
Yarrah  two  'pon  top  er  tarrah, 
Yarrah  free,  pile  up  tergarrah  /'  * 

"Da  'Gator  y-open  'e  mout,  'e  grin  wide  ;  'e  say  : 

f  Oona  nuss  dem  well,  lil  boy  Bear ;  come,  fetch-a  me 
one  fer  wash  un  git  'e  supper.' 

"  Da  lil  boy  Bear,  'e  ca'  one,  'e  ca'  nurrer,  'e  ca'  turrer, 
'e  ca'  urn  all  tel  'e  ca'  six,  den  'e  come  skeer.  'E  t'ink  da 
'Gator  gwan  fine  um  out  fer  true.  'E  stop,  'e  yent  know 
wut  fer  do.  Da  'Gator  holler  : 

"  *  Fetch-a  me  turrer  !  ' 

"Da  lil  boy  Bear,  'e  grab  da  fus  one,  'e  wullup  um  in 
da  mud,  'e  ca'  um  bahck.  Da  'Gator  bin  wash  un  feed 
um  fresh  ;  'e  yent  know  da  diffran. 

"  Bumbye,  nex'  day  mornin',  da  'Gator  gone  Vay. 
Da  lil  boy  Bear  stay  fer  nuss  dem  lil  'Gator.  'E  come 
honkry ;  'e  wait,  but  'e  come  mo'  honkry.  'E  grab 
nurrer  lil  'Gator,  'e  eat  um  fer  'e  dinner.  Mos'  toze  night, 
da  'Gator  come.  It  sem  t'ing  : 

'  Wey  me  chillun  wut  me  leaf  you  fer  nuss  ? ' 
:  '  Dey  all  dey-dey,  Missy  'Gator.     Me  count  um  out : 

"  '  Yarrah  one,  yarrah  narrah, 
Yarrah  two,  'pon  top  er  tarrah, 
Yarrah  free  pile  up  tergarrah.' 

1  Here  is  one,  here's  another ;  here  are  two  on  top  of  t'other ;  here  are  three 
piled  up  together. 


358  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

"  'E  ca'  um  one  by  one  fer  wash  un  git  dey  supper. 
'E  ca'  two  bahck  two  tarn.  Ebry  day  'e  do  dis  way  tell 
'e  come  at  de  las'.  'E  eat  dis  one,  un  'e  gone  luf  da  place 
wey  da  'Gator  lif.  'E  gone  down  da  crik  side  tell  'e  is 
come  by  da  foot-log,  un  'e  is  run  'cross  queek.  'E  git  in 
da  bush,  'e  fair  fly  tell  'e  is  come  by  da  place  wey  'e  lil  titty 
bin  lif.  'E  come  dey-dey,  un  'e  yent  go  way  no  mo'." 


LXI. 


WHY  MR.    DOG   RUNS  BROTHER    RABBIT. 

THE  little  boy  was  not  particularly  pleased  at  the  sum- 
mary manner  in  which  the  young  Alligators  were  disposed 
of ;  but  he  was  very  much  amused  at  the  somewhat  novel 
method  employed  by  the  Bear  to  deceive  the  old  Alliga- 
tor. The  negroes,  however,  enjoyed  Daddy  Jack's  story 
immensely,  and  even  'Tildy  condescended  to  give  it  her  ap- 
proval ;  but  she  qualified  this  by  saying,  as  soon  as  she 
had  ceased  laughing : 

"  I  'clar'  ter  goodness  you  all  got  mighty  little  ter  do 
fer  ter  be  settin'  down  yer  night  atter  night  lis'nin'  at  dat 
nigger  man." 

Daddy  Jack  nodded,  smiled,  and  rubbed  his  withered 
hands  together  apparently  in  a  perfect  ecstacy  of  good- 
humor,  and  finally  said : 


WHY   MR.   DOG  RUNS   BROTHER  RABBIT.         359 

"  Oona  come  set-a  by  me,  lil  gal.  'E  berry  nice  tale 
wut  me  tell-a  you.  Come  sit-a  by  me,  lil  gal ;  'e  berry 
nice  tale.  Ef  you  no  want  me  fer  tell-a  you  one  tale,  dun 
you  is  kin  tell-a  me  one  tale." 

"  Humph  !  "  exclaimed  'Tildy,  contemptuously,  "  you'll 
set  over  dar  in  dat  cornder  an  dribble  many's  de  long  day 
To'  I  tell  you  any  tale." 

"  Look  yer,  gal !  "  said  Uncle  Remus,  pretending  to  ig- 
nore the  queer  courtship  that  seemed  to  be  progressing 
between  Daddy  Jack  and  'Tildy,  "  you  gittin'  too  ole  fer 
ter  be  sawin'  de  a'r  wid  yo'  head  en  squealin'  lak  a  filly. 
Ef  you  gwine  ter  set  wid  folks,  you  better  do  lak  folks 
does.  Sis  Tempy  dar  aint  gwine  on  dat  away,  en  she  aint 
think  'erse'f  too  big  fer  ter  set  up  dar  en  jine  in  wid  us  en 
tell  a  tale,  needer." 

This  was  the  first  time  that  Uncle  Remus  had  ever  con- 
descended to  accord  'Tildy  a  place  at  his  hearth  on  an 
equality  with  the  rest  of  his  company,  and  she  seemed  to 
be  immensely  tickled.  A  broad  grin  spread  over  her 
comely  face  as  she  exclaimed : 

"  Oh  I  I  'clar'  ter  goodness,  Unk  Remus,  I  thought 
dat  ole  nigger  man  wuz  des  a  projickin'  'long  wid  me. 
Ef  it  come  down  ter  settin'  up  yer  'long  wid  you  all  an' 
tellin'  a  tale,  I  aint  'nyin'  but  w'at  I  got  one  dat  you  all 
aint  never  year  tell  un,  kaze  dat  ar  Slim  Jim  w'at  Mars. 
Ellick  Akin  got  ont'n  de  speckerlater l  waggin,  he  up'n  tell 
it  dar  at  Riah's  des  'fo'  de  patter-rollers  tuck'n  slipt  up  on 
urn." 

1  Speculator's  wagon. 


360  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Dar  now  !  "  remarked  Aunt  Tempy.  'Tildy  laughed 
boisterously. 

"Wat  de  patter-rollers  do  wid  dat  ar  Slim  Jim?" 
Uncle  Remus  inquired. 

"  Done  nothin' ! "  exclaimed  'Tildy,  with  an  air  of 
humorous  scorn.  "  Time  dey  got  in  dar  Slim  Jim  'uz  up 
de  chimbly,  an'  Riah'  uz  noddin'  in  one  cornder  an'  me  in 
de  udder.  Nobody  never  is  ter  know  how  dat  ar  long- 
leg  nigger  slick'd  up  dat  chimbly  —  dat  dey  aint.  He  put 
one  foot  on  de  pot-rack,1  an'  whar  he  put  de  t'er  foot  1 
can't  tell  you." 

"  What  was  the  story  ? "  asked  the  little  boy. 

"I  boun'  fer  you,  honey!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Re- 
mus. 

"  Well  den,"  sajd  'Tildy,  setting  herself  comfortably, 
and  bridling  a  little  as  Daddy  Jack  manifested  a  desire  to 
give  her  his  undivided  attention,  —  "  well,  den,  dey  wuz 
one  time  w'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  'uz  bleedz  ter  go  ter  town 
atter  sump'n  n'er  fer  his  famerly,  an'  he  mos'  'shame'  ter 
go  kaze  his  shoes  done  wo'  tetotally  out.  Yit  he  bleedz 
ter  go,  an'  he  put  des  ez  good  face  on  it  ez  he  kin,  an'  he 
take  down  he  walkin'-cane  an'  sot  out  des  ez  big  ez  de 
next  un. 

"  Well,  den,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  go  on  down  de  big  road 
twel  he  come  ter  de  place  whar  some  folks  bin  camp  out 
de  night  befo',  an'  he  sot  down  by  de  fier,  he  did,  fer  ter 
worn  his  foots,  kaze  dem  mawnin's  'uz  sorter  cole,  like 

1  A  bar  of  iron  across  the  fireplace,  with  hooks  to  hold  the  pots  and  kettles. 
The  original  form  of  the  crane. 


WHY  MR.  DOG  RUNS  BROTHER  RABBIT.          361 

deze  yer  mawnin's.    He  sot  dar  an'  look  at  his  toes,  an'  he 
feel  mighty  sorry  fer  hisse'f. 

"Well,  den,  he  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  'twan't  long  'fo'  he 
year  sump'n  n'er  trottin'  down  de  road,  an'  he  tuck'n  look 
up  an'  yer  come  Mr.  Dog  a  smellin'  an'  a  snuffin'  'roun' 
fer  ter  see  ef  de  folks  leP  any  scraps  by  der  camp-fier. 
Mr.  Dog  'uz  all  dress  up  in  his  Sunday-go-ter-meetin' 
cloze,  an'  mo'n  dat,  he  had  on  a  pa'r  er  bran  new  shoes. 

"  Well,  den,  w'en  Brer  Kabbit  see  dem  ar  shoes  he  feel 
mighty  bad,  but  he  aint  let  on.  He  bow  ter  Mr.  Dog 
mighty  perlite,  an'  Mr.  Dog  he  bow  back,  he  did,  an'  dey 
pass  de  time  er  day,  kaze  dey  'uz  ole  'quaintance.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  say : 

'  Mr.  Dog,  whar  you  gwine  all  fix  up  like  dis  ? ' 
'  I  gwine  ter  town,  Brer  Rabbit ;  wfcar  you  gwine  ?  ' 
f  I   thought   I  go    ter   town  myse'f   fer  ter  git  me 
new  pa'r  shoes,  kaze   my  ole  uns  done   wo'   out  en  dey 
hu'ts  my  foots  so  bad  I  can't  w'ar  um.     Dem  mighty  nice 
shoes  w'at  you  got  on,  Mr.  Dog  ;  whar  you  git  um  ?  ' 

'Down  in  town,  Brer  Rabbit,  down  in  town.' 
' '  Dey  fits  you  mighty  slick,  Mr.  Dog,  an'  I  wish  you 
be  so  good  ez  ter  lemme  try  one  un  um  on.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  talk  so  mighty  sweet  dat  Mr.  Dog  sot  right 
fiat  on  de  groun'  an'  tuck  off  one  er  de  behime  shoes,  an' 
loant  it  ter  Brer  Rabbit.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  lope  off  down 
de  road  en  den  he  come  back.  He  tell  Mr.  Dog  dat  de 
shoe  fit  mighty  nice,  but  wid  des  one  un  um  on,  hit  make 
'im  trot  crank-sided. 

"Well,   den,  Mr.   Dog,  he  pull  off  de  yuther  behime 


362  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    EEMUS. 

shoe,  an'  Brer  Rabbit  trot  off  an'  try  it.     He  come  back, 
he  did,  an'  he  say': 

:  'Dey  mighty  nice,  Mr.  Dog,  but  dey  sorter  r'ars  me 
up  behime,  an'  I  dunner  'zackly  how  dey  feels.' 

"  Dis  make  Mr.  Dog  feel  like  he  wanter  be  perlite,  an' 
he  take  off  de  befo'  shoes,  an'  Brer  Rabbit  put  um  on  an' 
stomp  his  foots,  an  'low  : 

f  *  Now  dat  sorter  feel  like  shoes  ; '  an'  he  rack  off  down 
de  road,  an'  w'en  he  git  whar  he  oughter  tu'n  'roun',  he 
des  lay  back  he  years  an'  keep  on  gwine ;  an'  'twan't  long 
'fo'  he  git  outer  sight. 

"  Mr.  Dog,  he  holler,  an'  tell  'im  fer  ter  come  back, 
but  Brer  Rabbit  keep  on  gwine ;  Mr.  Dog,  he  holler,  Mr. 
Rabbit,  he  keep  on  gwine.  An'  down  ter  dis  day,"  con- 
tinued 'Tildy,  smacking  her  lips,  and  showing  her  white 
teeth,  "  Mr.  Dog  bin  a  runnin'  Brer  Rabbit,  an'  ef  you'll 
des  go  out  in  de  woods  wid  any  Dog  on  dis  place,  des  time 
he  smell  de  Rabbit  track,  he'll  holler  an'  tell  'im  fer  ter 
come  back." 

"  Dat's  de  Lord's  trufe  !  "  said  Aunt  Tempy. 


BROTHER  WOLF  AND  THE  HORNED  CATTLE.  363 


Lxn. 

BROTHER    WOLF  AND    THE    HORNED 
CATTLE. 

DADDY  JACK  appeared  to  enjoy  'Tildy's  story  as 
thoroughly  as  the  little  boy. 

"  'E  one  fine  tale.  'E  mekky  me  lahff  tell  tear  is  come 
in  me  y-eye,"  the  old  African  said.  And  somehow  or 
other  'Tildy  seemed  to  forget  her  pretended  animosity  to 
Daddy  Jack,  and  smiled  on  him  as  pleasantly  as  she  did 
on  the  others.  Uncle  Remus  himself  beamed  upon  each 
and  every  one,  especially  upon  Aunt  Tempy ;  and  the 
little  boy  thought  he  had  never  seen  everybody  in  such 
good-humor. 

"Sis  Tempy,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "I  speck  it's  yo' 
time  fer  ter  put  in." 

"I  des  bin  rackin'  my  min',"  said  Aunt  Tempy, 
thoughtfully.  "I  see  you  fixin'  dat  ar  hawn,  un  ter- 
reckerly  hit  make  me  think  'bout  a  tale  w'at  I  aint  year 
none  un  you  tell  yit." 

Uncle  Remus  was  polishing  a  long  cow's-horn,  for  the 
purpose  of  making  a  hunting-horn  for  his  master. 

"  Hit  come  'bout  one  time  dat  all  de  creeturs  w'at  got 
hawns  tuck  a  notion  dat  dey  got  ter  meet  terge'er  un  have 
a  confab  fer  ter  see  how  dey  gwine  take  keer  deyse'f ,  kaze 


364  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    KEMUS. 

dem  t'er  creeturs  w'at  got  tush  un  claw,  dey  uz  des  a 
snatchin'  um  fum  'roun'  eve'y  cornder." 

"Tooby  sho  !  "  said  Uncle  Remus,  approvingly. 

"Dey  sont  out  wud,  de  hawn  creeturs  did,  un  dey 
tuck'n  meet  terge'er  way  off  in  de  woods.  Man  —  Sir  !  — 
dey  wuz  a  big  gang  un  um,  un  de  muster  dey  had  out 
dar  'twan't  b'ar  tellin'  skacely.  Mr.  Bull,  he  'uz  dar,  un 
Mr.  Steer,  un  Miss  Cow"  — 

"And  Mr.  Benjamin  Ram,  with  his  fiddle,"  suggested 
the  little  boy. 

-"Yes,  'n  Mr.  Billy  Goat,  un  Mr.  Unicorn  "- 

"En  ole  man  Rinossyhoss,"  said  Uncle  Remus. 

—  "Yes,  'n  lots  mo' w'at  I  aint  know  de  names  un. 
Man  —  Sir  !  —  dey  had  a  mighty  muster  out  dar.  Ole  Brer 
Wolf,  he  tuck'n  year'  bout  de  muster,  un  he  sech  a  smarty 
dat  nothin'  aint  gwine  do  but  he  mus'  go  un  see  w'at  dey 
do  in'. 

"He  study  'bout  it  long  time,  un  den  he  went  out  in 
de  timber  un  cut  'im  two  crooked  sticks,  un  tie  um  on 
his  head,  un  start  off  ter  whar  de  hawn  creeturs  meet  at. 
Wen  he  git  dar  Mr.  Bull  ax  'im  who  is  he,  w'at  he  want, 
whar  he  come  frtim,  un  whar  he  gwine.  Brer  Wolf,  he 
'low: 

"  '  Ba-a-a  !     I'm  name  little  Sook  Calf ! '  " 

"  Eh-eh  1  Look  out,  now !  "  exclaimed  'Tildy,  en- 
thusiastically. 

"Mr.  Bull  look  at  Brer  Wolf  mighty  hard  over  his 
Bpecks,  but  atter  a  w'ile  he  go  off  some'rs  else,  un  Brer 
Wolf  take  his  place  in  de  muster. 


BROTHER  WOLF  AND  THE   HORNED   CATTLE.    365 

"Well,  den,  bimeby,  terreckerly,  dey  got  ter  talkin'  un 
tellm'  der  'sperence  des  like  de  wite  folks  does  at  class- 
meetin'.  Wiles  dey  'uz  gwine  on  dis  away,  a  great  big 
hoss-fly  come  sailin'  'roun',  un  Brer  Wolf  tuck'n  fergit 
hisse'f,  un  snap  at  'im. 

"  All  dis  time  Brer  Rabbit  bin  hidin'  out  in  de  bushes 
watchin'  Brer  Wolf,  un  w'en  he  see  dis  he  tuck'n  break 
out  in  a  laugh.  Brer  Bull,  he  tuck'n  holler  out,  he  did  : 
'  Who  dat  laughin'  un  showin'  der  manners  ? ' 

w  Nobody  aint  make  no  answer,  un  terreckerly  Brer 
Rabbit  holler  out : 

"'  0  kittle-cattle,  kittle-cattle,  whar  yd1  eyes? 
Who  ever  see  a  Sook  Calf  snappin'  at  flies  f ' 

"  De  hawn  creeturs  dey  all  look  'roun'  un  wonder  w'at 
dat  mean,  but  bimeby  ^ey  go  on  wid  dey  confab.  'Twan't 
long  To'  a  flea  tuck'n  bite  Brer  Wolf  'way  up  on  de  back 
er  de  neck,  un  To'  he  know  what  he  doin',  he  tuck'u  squat 
right  down  un  scratch  hisse'f  wid  his  behime  foot." 

"Enty!"  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack.  "  Dar  you  is!" 
said  Tildy. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  broke-out  in  n'er  big  laugh 
un  'sturb  um  all,  un  den  he  holler  out : 

"  '  ScritcJium-scratchum,  lawsy,  my  laws! 
Look  at  dat  Soolc  Calf  scratchin'  wid  claws ! ' 

"  Brer  Wolf  git  mighty  skeer'd,  but  none  er  de  hawn 
creeturs  aint  take  no  notice  un  'im,  un  'twan't  long  'fo' 
Brer  Rabbit  holler  out  ag'in  : 


366  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  '  Ririktum-tiriktum,  ride  'im  on  a  rail ! 
Dat  Sook  Calf  got  a  long  bushy  tail ! ' 

"De  hawn  creeturs,  dey  go  on  wid  der  confab,  but 
Brer  Wolf  git  skeerder  un  skeerder,  kaze  he  notice  dat 
Mr.  Bull  got  his  eye  on  'im.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  aint  gin 
'im  no  rest'.  He  holler  out : 

"  '  One  un  one  never  Tcin  malce  six, 

Sticks  aint  hawns,  un  hawns  aint  sticks ! ' 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Wolf  make  ez  ef  he  gwine  way  fum 
dar,  un  he  wan't  none  too  soon,  needer,  kaze  ole  Mr.  Bull 
splunge  at  'im,  en  little  mo'  un  he'd  er  natally  to'  'im  in 
two." 

"Did  Brother  Wolf  get  away?"  the  little  boy  asked. 

"Yas,  Lord!"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  with  unction;  "he 
des  scooted  'way  fum  dar,  un  he  got  so  mad  wid  Brer 
Rabbit,  dat  he  tuck'ii  play  dead,  un  wud  went  'roun'  dat 
dey  want  all  de  creeturs  fer  ter  go  set  up  wid  'im.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  went  down  dar  fer  ter  look  at  'im,  un  time  he 
see  'im,  he  ax  : 

"'Is  he  grin  yit?' 

"  All  de  creeturs  dey  up'n  say  he  aint  grin,  not  ez  dey 
knows  un.  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low,  he  did  : 

'Well,  den,  gentermuns  all,  ef  he  aint  grin,  den  he 
aint  dead  good.  In  all  my  'speunce  folks  aint  git  dead 
good  tell  dey  grins.'1 

"  W'en  Brer  Wolf  year  Brer  Rabbit  talk  dat  away,  he 

1  See  "  Uncle  Remus :    His  Songs  and  his  Sayings, "-p.  60. 


BRO.  FOX  AND  THE   WHITE  MUSCADINES.       367 

tuck'n  grin  fum  year  ter  year,  un  Brer  Eabbit,  he  picked 
up  his  hat  un  walkin'-cane  un  put  out  fer  home,  un  w'en 
he  got  way  off  in  de  woods  he  sot  down  un  laugh  fit  ter 
kill  hisse'f." 

Uncle  Remus  had  paid  Aunt  Tempy  the  extraordinary 
tribute  of  pausing  in  his  work  to  listen  at  her  story,  and 
when  she  had  concluded  it,  he  looked  at  her  in  undis- 
guised admiration,  and  exclaimed : 

"I  be  bless,  Sis  Tempy,  ef  you  aint  wuss'n  w'at  I  is, 
en  I'm  bad  nuff,  de  Lord  knows  I  is  !  " 


LXIII. 

BROTHER    FOX    AND    THE    WHITE 
MUSCADINES. 

AUNT  TEMPY  did  not  attempt  to  conceal  the  pleasure 
which  Uncle  Remus's  praise  gave  her.  She  laughed 
somewhat  shyly,  and  said : 

"  Bless  you,  Brer  Remus  !  I  des  bin  a  settin*  yer 
1'arnin.  'Sides  dat,  Chris'mus  aint  fur  off  un  I  speck 
we  er  all  a  feelin'  a  sight  mo'  humorsome  dan  com- 
mon." 

"  Dat's  so,  Sis  Tempy.  I'uz  comin'  thoo  de  lot  des 
'fo'  supper,  en  I  seed  de  pigs  runnin'  en  playin'  in  de  win', 
en  I  'low  ter  myse'f,  sez  I,  «  Sholy  dey's  agwine  ter  be  a 
harry  cane,'  en  den  all  at  once  hit  come  in  my  min'  dat 


368  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Chris'mus  mighty  close  at  han',  en  den  on  ter  dat  yer 
come  de  chickens  a-crowin'  des  now  en  'tain't  nine  er'clock. 
I  dunner  how  de  creeturs  know  Chris'mus  comin',  but  dat 
des  de  way  it  stan's." 

The  little  boy  thought  it  was  time  enough  to  think 
about  Christmas  when  the  night  came  for  hanging  up  his 
stockings,  and  he  asked  Uncle  Remus  if  it  wasn't  his 
turn  to  tell  a  story.  The  old  man  laid  down  the  piece  of 
glass  with  which  he  had  been  scraping  the  cow's  horn, 
and  hunted  around  among  his  tools  for  a  piece  of  sand- 
paper before  he  replied.  But  his  reply  was  sufficient. 
He  said : 

"  One  time  w'iles  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  gwine  thoo  de 
woods  he  tuck'n  strak  up  wid  ole  Brer  Fox,  en  Brer  Fox 
'low,  he  did,  dat  he  mighty  hongry.  Brer  Rabbit  'low 
dat  he  aint  feelin'  dat  away  hisse'f,  kaze  he  des  bin  en 
had  er  bait  er  w'ite  muscadimes,  en  den  he  tuck'n  smack 
he  mouf  en  lick  he  chops  right  front  er  Brer  Fox.  Brer 
Fox,  he  ax,  sezee  : 

"Brer  Rabbit,  whar  de  name  er  goodnes  is  deze  yer 
w'ite  muscadimes,  en  how  come  I'm  aint  never  run  'crosst 
urn? '  sezee. 

f '  I  dunner  w'at  de  reason  you  aint  never  come  up 
wid  um,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee ;  f  some  folks  sees 
straight,  some  sees  crooked,  some  sees  one  thing,  some 
sees  n'er.  I  done  seed  dem  ar  w'ite  muscadimes,  en  let 
'lone  dat,  I  done  wipe  um  up.  I  done  e't  all  dey  wuz 
on  one  tree,  but  I  lay  dey's  lots  mo'  un  um  'roun'  in  dem 
neighborhoods,'  sezee. 


BRO.  FOX  AND   THE  WHITE   MUSCADINES.       369 

"  Ole  Brer  Fox  mouf  'gun  to  water,  en  he  git  mighty 
restless. 

' ?  Come  on,  Brer  Rabbit ;  come  on  !  Come  show  me 
whar  clem  ar  w'ite  muscadimes  grows  at,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  hang  back.    Brer  Fox,  he  'low  : 

"  '  Come  on,  Brer  Rabbit,  come  on  ! ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  hang  back,  en  bimeby  he  'low  : 

*  Uh-uh,  Brer  Fox!  You  wanter  git  me  out  dar  in 
de  timber  by  myse'f  en  do  sump'n  ter  me.  You  wanter  git 
me  our  dar  en  skeer  me.' 

w  Ole  Brer  Fox,  he  hoi'  up  he  han's,  he  do,  en  he  'low  : 
"I  cles  'clar'  'fo'  gracious,  Brer  Rabbit,  I  aint  gwine 
do  no  seen  uv  a  thing.  I  dunner  w'at  kinder  'pinion  you 
got  'bout  me  fer  ter  have  sech  idee  in  yo'  head.  Come  on, 
Brer  Rabbit,  en  less  we  go  git  dem  ar  w'ite  muscadimes. 
Come  on,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

r  ?  Uh-uh,  Brer  Fox  !  I  done  year  talk  er  you  playin' 
so  many  prank  wid  folks,  dat  I  fear'd  fer  ter  go  'way  off 
dar  wid  you.' 

"  Dey  went  on  dat  away,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
endeavoring  to  look  at  the  little  boy  through  the  crooked 
cow's  horn,  "twel  bimeby  Brer  Fox  promise  he  aint 
gwine  ter  bodder  'long  er  Brer  Rabbit,  en  den  dey  tuck'n 
put  out.  En  whar  you  speck  dat  ar  muscheevous  Brer 
Rabbit  tuck'n  kyar'  Brer  Fox?" 

Uncle  Remus  paused  and  gazed  around  upon  his  audi- 
ence with  uplifted  eyebrows,  as  if  to  warn  them  to  be  prop- 
erly astonished.  Nobody  made  any  reply,  but  all  looked 
expectant,  and  Uncle  Remus  went  on  ; 


370  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  He  aint  kyar  'im  nowhars  in  de  roun'  worl'  but  ter 
one  er  deze  yer  great  big  scaly-bark  trees.  De  tree  wuz 
des  loaded  clown  wid  scaly-barks,  but  dey  want  ripe,  en 
de  green  hulls  ehined  in  de  sun  des  lak  dey  bin  whitewash'. 
Brer  Fox  look  'stonish'.  Atter  w'ile  he  up'n  'low  : 

' '  Is  dem  ar  de  w'ite  muscadimes  ?  Mighty  funny 
I  aint  fine  it  out  'fo'  dis.' 

"Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  scratch  hisse'f  en  'low  : 
'  *  Dems  um .     Dey  mayn't  be  ripe  ez  dem  w'at  I  had 
fer  my  brekkus,  but  dems  de  w'ite  muscadimes  sho'  ez  youer 
bawn.     Dey  er  red  bullaces ]  en  dey  er  black  bullaces, 
but  deze  yer,  dey  er  de  w'ite  bullaces.' 

"Brer  Fox,  sezee,  'How  I  gwine  git  um?' 
"Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'You'll  des  hatter  do  lak  I  done.' 
"Brer  Fox,  sezee,  '  How  wuz  dat?  ' 
"  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'You'll  hatter  clam  fer  'm.' 
"  Brer  Fox,  sezee,  ' How  I  gwine  clam?  ' 
"Brer  Rabbit,   sezee,  'Grab  wid  yo' ban's,   clamp  wid 
yo'  legs,  en  I'll  push  behime  ! ' ' 

"  Man  —  Sir  !  — he's  a  talkin'  now  !  "  exclaimed  Aunt 
Tempy,  enthusiastically. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  clum,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  push,  twel, 
sho'  miff,  Brer  Fox  got  whar  he  kin  grab  de  lowmos' 
lira's,  en  dar  he  wuz  !  He  crope  on  up,  he  did,  twel  he 
come  ter  whar  he  kin  retch  de  green  scaly-bark,  en  den  he 
tuck'n  pull  one  en  bite  it,  en,  gentermens  !  hit  uz  dat 
rough  en  dat  bitter  twel  little  mo'  en  he'd  a  drapt  spang 
out'n  de  tree. 

1  Another  name  for  muscadines. 


BRO.  FOX  AND   THE   WHITE   MUSCADINES.       371 

"  He  holler  '  Ow ! '  en  spit  it  out'n  he  mouf  des  same 
ez  ef  'twuz  rank  pizen,  en  he  make  sech  a  face  dat  you 
wouldn't  b'leeve  it  skacely  less'n  you  seed  it.  Brer  Rab- 
bit, he  hatter  cough  fer  ter  keep  fum  laughin',  but  he 
make  out  ter  holler,  sezee  : 

"Come  down,  Brer  Fox!  Dey  aint  ripe.  Come 
down  en  less  go  some'rs  else.' 

"  Brer  Fox  start  down,  en  he  git  'long  mighty  well  twel 
he  come  ter  de  lowmos'  lim's,  en  den  w'en  he  git  dar  he 
can't  come  down  no  furder,  kaze  he  aint  got  no  claw  fer 
cling  by,  en  not  much  leg  fer  clamp. 

"Brer  Rabbit  keep  on  hollerin',  *  Come  down  ! '  en  Brer 
Fox  keep  on  studyin'  how  he  gwine  ter  come  down. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low,  sezee  : 

tf  Come  on,  Brer  Fox  !  I  tuck'n  push  you  up,  en  ef 
I  'uz  dar  whar  you  is,  I'd  take'n  push  you  down.' 

"  Brer  Fox  sat  dar  on  de  lowmos'  lim's  en  look  lak  he 
skeer'd.  Bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  tuck  he  stan'  way  off  fum 
de  tree,  en  he  holler,  sezee  : 

"'Ef  you'll  take'n  jump  out  dis  way,  Brer  Fox,  I'll 
ketch  you.' 

"Brer  Fox  look  up,  he  look  down,  he  look  all  'roun'. 
Brer  Rabbit  come  little  closer,  en  'low,  sezee  : 

'  'Hop  right  down  yer,  Brer  Fox,  en  I'll  ketch  you.' 

"Hit  keep  on  dis  away,  twel,  bimeby,  Brer  Fox  tuck 
a  notion  to  jump,  en  des  ez  he  jump  Brer  Rabbit  hop  out 
de  way  en  holler,  sezee  : 

'  Owl     Scuze  me,  Brer  Fox  !     I  stuck  a  brier  in  my 
foot !     Scuze  me,  Brer  Fox  !     I  stuck  a  brier  in  my  foot ! ' 


\ 

372  NIGHTS   WITH   UNCLE  KEMUS. 

"En  dat  ole  Brer  Fox,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  drop- 
ing  his  voice  a  little,  "dat  ole  Brer  Fox,  gentermens ! 
you  oughter  bin  dar  !  He  hit  de  groun'  like  a  sack  er 
taters,  en  it  des  natally  knock  de  breff  out'n  'im.  Wen  he 
git  up  en  count  hisse'f  fer  ter  see  ef  he  all  dar,  he  aint  kin 
walk  skacely,  en  he  sat  dar  en  lick  de  so'  places  a  mighty 
long  time  To'  he  feel  lak  he  kin  make  he  way  todes  home." 

When  the  little  boy  wanted  to  know  what  become  of 
Brother  Rabbit  Uncle  Remus  said  : 

"  Shoo  !  don't  you  pester  'bout  Brer  Rabbit.  He  kick 
up  he  heels  en  put  out  fum  dar."  Then  he  added  :  "  Dem 
ar  chick'ns  crowin'  'g'in,  honey.  Done  gone  by  nine 
er'clock,  Scoot  out  fum  dis.  Miss  Sally  '11  be  a  rakin 
me  over  de  coals." 


LXIV. 

ME.   HAWK  AND  BROTHER  BUZZARD. 

ONE  night  the  little  boy  ran  into  Uncle  Remus's  cabin 
singing : 

"  T-u  Turkey,  t-u  Ti, 
T-u  Turkey  Buzzard's  eye  !  " 

Uncle  Remus,  Daddy  Jack,  Aunt  Tempy,  and  'Tildy 
were  all  sitting  around  the  fire,  for  the  Christmas  weather 
was  beginning  to  make  itself  rather  severely  felt.  As 


MR.    HAWK    AND    BROTHER    BUZZARD.  373 

they  made  room  for  the  child,  Daddy  Jack  flung  his  head 
back,  and  took  up  the  song,  beating  time  with   his  foot  : 

"  T-u  Tukry,  t-u  Ti, 
T-u  Tiikry- Buzzud  y-eye ! 
T-u  Tukry,  t-u  Ting, 
T-u  Tul:ry-Buzzud  wing  ! " 

"  Deyer  mighty  kuse  creeturs,"  said  'Tildy,  who  was 
sitting  rather  nearer  to  Daddy  Jack  than  had  been  her 
custom, —  a  fact  to  which  Aunt  Tempy  had  already  called 
the  attention  of  Uncle  Remus  by  a  motion  of  her  head, 
causing  the  old  man  to  smile  a  smile  as  broad  as  it  was 
wise.  "  Deyer  mighty  kuse,  an'  I'm  fear'd  un  um,"  'Tildy 
went  on.  "  Dey  looks  so  lonesome  hit  makes  me  have  de 
creeps  fer  ter  look  at  um." 

"  Dey  no  hu't-a  you,"  said  Daddy  Jack,  soothingly. 
"  You  flut  you'  han'  toze  um  dey  fly  way  fum  dey-dey." 

"  I  dunno  'bout  dat,"  said  'Tildy.  "  Deyer  bal'-headed, 
an'  dat  w'at  make  me  'spize  um." 

Daddy  Jack  rubbed  the  bald  place  on  his  head  with 
such  a  comical  air  that  even  'Tildy  laughed.  The  old 
African  retained  his  good-humor. 

"  You  watch  dem  Buzzud,"  he  said  after  awhile,  address- 
ing himself  particularly  to  the  little  boy.  "  'E  fly  high,  'e 
fly  low,  'e  fly  way  'roun'.  Rain  come,  'e  flup  'e  wings, 
'e  light  'pon  dead  pine.  Rain  fall,  'e  hug  'ese'f  wit  'e  wing, 
'e  scrooge  'e  neck  up.  Rain  come,  win'  blow,  da  Buzzud 
bin-a  look  ragged.  Da  Buzzud  bin-a  wink  'e  y-eye,  'e 
say  : 

'  Wun  da  win'  fer  stop  blow  un  da  rain  fer  stop  drip, 


374  NIGHTS    WITH  '  UNCLE    KEMUS. 

me  go  mek  me  one  house.  Me  mek  um  tight  fer  keep  da 
rain  out ;  me  pit  top  on  strong  fer  keep  da  win'  out.' 

"  Dun  da  rain  dry  up  un  da  win'  stop.  Da  Buzzud,  'e 
stan'  'pon  top  da  dead  pine.  Wun  da  sun  bin-a  shine,  'e 
no  mek  um  no  house  no'n  'tall.  'E  stay  'pon  da  dead 
pine  ;  'e  'tretch  'e  wing  wide  open  ;  'e  bin  dry  hisse'f  in  da 
sun.  'E  hab  mek  no  house  sence  'e  bin  born.  "E  one 
fool  bud." 

"  En  yit,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  a  grave,  judicial  air, 
"  I  year  tell  er  one  time  w'en  ole  Brer  Buzzard  want  so 
mighty  fur  outer  de  way  wid  he  notions." 

"  Me  yent  yeddy  tahlk  'bout  dis,"  Daddy  Jack  ex- 
plained. 

"  I  speck  not,"  responded  Uncle  Remus.  "  Hit  seem 
lak  dat  dey  wuz  one  time  w'en  Mr.  Hawk  come  sailin' 
'roun'  huntin'  fer  sump'n  n'er  t'eat,  en  he  see  Brer  Buzzard 
settin'  on  a  dead  Km',  lookin'  mighty  lazy  en  lonesome. 

"  Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  '  How  you  come  on,  Brer  Buzzard  ?  ' 

"  Brer  Buzzard,  sezee,  f  I'm  mighty  po'ly,  Brer  Hawk  ; 
po'ly  en  hongry.' 

"  Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  '  Wat  you  waitin'  yer  fer  ef  you 
hongry,  Brer  Buzzard?' 

"  Brer  Buzzard,  sezee,  '  I'm  a  waitin'  on  de  Lord.' 

"Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  '  Better  run  en  git  yo'  brekkus, 
Brer  Buzzard,  en  den  come  back  en  wait.' 

"Brer  Buzzard,  sezee,  'No,  Brer  Hawk,  I'll  go  bidout 
my  brekkus  druther  den  be  biggity  'bout  it.' 

"  Mr.  Hawk,  he  'low,  sezee,  *  Well,  den,  Brer  Buzzard, 
you  got  yo'  way  en  I  got  mine.  You  see  dem  ar  chick'ns 


MR.    HAWK    AND    BROTHER    BUZZARD.  375 

down  dar  in  Mr.  Man  boss-lot?  I'm  a  gwine  down  dar 
en  git  one  un  um,  en  den  I'll  come  back  yer  en  wait  'long 
wid  you.' 

"  Wid  dat,  Mr.  Hawk  tuck'n  sail  off,  en  Brer  Buzzard 
drop  he  wings  down  on  de  Km'  en  look  mighty  lonesome. 
He  sot  dar  en  look  mighty  lonesome,  he  did,  but  he  keep 
one  eye  on  Mr.  Hawk. 

"  Mr.  Hawk,  he  sail  'roun'  en  'roun',  en  he  look  mighty 
purty.  He  sail  'roun'  en  'roun'  'bove  de  boss-lot — 'roun' 
en  'roun' —  en  bimeby  he  dart  down  at  chick'ns.  He  shot 
up  he  wings  en  dart  down,  he  did,  des  same  ef  he  'uz 
fired  out'n  a  gun." 

"  Watch  out,  pullets  !  "  exclaimed  'Tildy,  in  a  tone  of 
warning. 

"  He  dart  down,  he  did,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  rub- 
bing his  hand  thoughtfully  across  the  top  of  his  head, 
"  but  stidder  he  hittin'  de  chick'ns,  he  tuck'n  hit  'pon  de 
sharp  een'  un  a  fence-rail.  He  hit  dar,  he  did,  en  dar  he 
stuck." 

"  Ah-yi-ee  !  "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack. 

"  Dar  he  stuck.  Brer  Buzzard  sot  en  watch  'im.  Mr. 
Hawk  aint  move.  Brer  Buzzard  sot  en  watch  'im  some 
mo'.  Mr.  Hawk  aint  move.  He  done  stone  dead.  De 
mo'  Brer  Buzzard  watch  'im  de  mo'  hongrier  he  git,  en 
bimeby  he  gedder  up  he  wings,  en  sorter  clean  out  he  year 
wid  he  claw,  en  'low,  sezee  : 

: '  I  know'd  de  Lord  'uz  gwineter  per  vide.'  " 

"  Trufe  too  !  "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy.  :t  'Taint  bin  in 
my  min'  dat  Buzzard  got  sense  lak  dat !  " 


376  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"Dar's  whar  you  missed  it,  Sis  Tempy,"  said  Uncle 
Kemus,  gravely.  "  Brer  Buzzard,  he  tuck'n  drap  down 
fum  de  dead  lim',  en  he  lit  on  Mr.  Hawk,  en  had  'im  fer 
brekkus.  Hit's  a  mighty  'roun'  about  way  fer  ter  git 
chick'n-pie,  yit  hit's  lots  better  dan  no  way." 

"  I  speck  Hawk  do  tas'e  like  chicken,'*'  remarked  'Tildy. 

"  Dey  mos'  sho'ly  does,"  said  Uncle  Kemus,  with  em- 
phasis. 


LXV. 


MR.    HAWK   AND    BROTHER    RABBIT. 

ff  I  YEAR  tell  er  one  time,"  said  'Tildy,  "  w'en  ole  Mr. 
Hawk  tuck'n  kotch  Brer  Rabbit,  but  "taint  no  tale  like 
dem  you  all  bin  tellin'." 

"Tell  it,  anyhow,  'Tildy,"  said  the  little  boy. 

"  Well,  'taint  no  tale,  I  tell  you  dat  now.  One  time 
Brer  Rabbit  wuz  gwine  'long  thoo  de  bushes  singin'  ter 
hisse'f,  an'  he  see  a  shadder  pass  befo'  'im.  He  look  up, 
an'  dar  'uz  Mr.  Hawk  sailin'  'roun'  an'  'roun'.  Time  he 
see  'im,  Brer  Rabbit  'gun  ter  kick  up  an'  sassy  'im. 

"  Mr.  Hawk  aint  pay  no  'tention  ter  dis.  He  des  sail 
all  'roun'  an'  'roun'.  Eve'y  time  he  sail  'roun',  he  git 
little  closer,  but  Brer  Rabbit  aint  notice  dis.  He  too 
busy  wid  his  devilment.  He  shuck  his  fis'  at  Mr.  Hawk, 
an'  chunk'd  at  'im  wid  sticks ; l  an'  atter  w'ile  he  tuck'n 

1  That  is  to  say,  threw  sticks  at  Mr.  Hawk. 


MR.   HAWK   AND    BROTHER  RABBIT.  377 

make  out  he  got  a  gun,  an'  he  tuck  aim  at  MY.  Hawk,  an' 
'lowM,  '  Pow  ! '  an'  den  he  holler  an'  laugh. 

"All  dis  time  Mr.  Hawk  keep  on  sailin"roun' an'  'roun' 
an'  gittin'  nigher  an'  nigher,  an'  bimeby  down  he  drapt  right 
slam-bang  on  Brer  Rabbit,  an'  dar  he  had  'im.  Brer 
Rabbit  fix  fer  ter  say  his  pra'rs,  but  'fo'  he  do  dat,  he  talk 
to  Mr.  Hawk,  an'  he  talk  mighty  fergivin'.  He  'low  he 
did: 

rtl  'uz  des  playin',  Mr.  Hawk;  I  'uz  dez  a  playin'. 
You  oughtn'  ter  fly  up  an'  git  mad  wid  a  little  bit  er  man 
like  me.' 

"  Mr.  Hawk  ruffle  up  de  fedders  on  his  neck  an'  say : 
' '  I  aint  fly  in'  up,  I'm  a  fly  in'  down,  an'  w'en  I  fly  up, 
I'm  a  gwine  ter  fly  way  'wid  you.  You  bin  a  playin'  de 
imp  'roun'  in  dis  settlement  long  nuff,  an'  now  ef  you  got 
any  will  ter  make,  you  better  make  it  quick,  kaze  you  aint 
got  much  time.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  cry.     He  say  : 

r  I  mighty  sorry,  Mr.  Hawk,  dat  I  is.     I  got  some 
gol'  buried  right  over  dar  in  fence  cornder,  an'  I  wish  in 
my  soul  my  po'  little  childuns  know  whar  'twuz,  kaze  den 
dey  could  git  long  widout  me  fer  a  mont'  er  two.' 
"Mr.  Hawk  'low,  ' Wharbouts  is  all  dis  gol'  ?' 
"  Brer  Rabbit 'low,  'Right  over  dar  in  de  fence  cornder.' 
"  Mr.  Hawk  say  show  it  ter  'im.      Brer  Rabbit  say  he 
don't  keer  ef  he  do,  an'  he  say : 

"  I'd  a  done  show'd  it  ter  you  long  'fo'  dis,  but  you 
hoi'  me  so  tight,  I  can't  wink  my  eye  skacely,  much  less 
walk  ter  whar  de  gol'  is.' 


378  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

"  Mr.  Hawk  say  he  fear'd  he  gwineter  try  ter  git  'way. 
Brer  Rabbit  say  dey  aint  no  danger  er  dat,  kaze  he  one 
er  deze  yer  kinder  mens  w'en  dey  er  kotch  once  deyer 
kotch  fer  good. 

"  Mr.  Hawk  sorter  let  Brer  Rabbit  loose,  an*  dey  went 
todes  de  fence-cornder.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  went  'long  so  good 
dat  dis  sorter  ease  Mr.  Hawk  min'  'bout  he  gittin'  way. 
Dey  got  ter  de  place  an'  Brer  Rabbit  look  all  'roun',  an' 
den  he  frown  up  like  he  got  some  mighty  bad  disap'int- 
ment,  an'  he  say  : 

'  You  may  b'lieve  me  er  not,  Mr.  Hawk,  but  we  er 
on  de  wrong  side  er  de  fence.  I  hid  dat  gol'  some'rs  right 
in  dat  cornder  dar.  You  fly  over  an'  I'll  go  thoo.' 

"Tooby  sho'  dis  look  far,  an'  Brer  Rabbit,  he  crope 
thoo'  de  fence,  an'  Mr.  Hawk  flewd  'cross.  Time  he  lit 
on  t'er  side,  Mr.  Hawk  year  Brer  Rabbit  laugh." 

The  little  boy  asked  what  Brother  Rabbit  laughed  for, 
as  'Tildy  paused  to  adjust  a  flaming  red  ribbon-bow  pinned 
in  her  hair. 

"Gaze  dey  wuz  a  brier-patch  on  t'er  side  de  fence," 
said  'Tildy,  "  an'  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  in  dar." 

"I  boun'  you  !  "  Aunt  Tempy  exclaimed.  "He  'uz  in 
dar,  an'  dar  he  stayed  tell  Mr.  Hawk  got  tired  er  hangin' 
'roun'  dar." 

"  Ah,  Lord,  chile  !  "  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  the  candor 
of  an  expert,  "  some  er  dat  tale  you  got  right,  en  some 
you  got  wrong." 

"  Oh,  I  know'd  'twan't  no  tale  like  you  all  bin  tellin'," 
replied  'Tildy,  modestly. 


MR.   HAWK    AND    BROTHER   RABBIT.  379 

"Tooby  sho'  'tis,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  by  way  of 
encouragement ;  "but  w'iles  we  gwine  'long  we  better 
straighten  out  all  de  kinks  dat'll  b'ar  straightenin'." 

"  Goodness  knows  I  aint  fittin'  ter  tell  no  tale,';  persisted 
'Tildy. 

"  Don't  run  yo'se'f  down,  gal,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  en- 
couragingly ;  "  ef  dey's  to  be  any  runnin'  down  let  yuther 
folks  do  it ;  en,  bless  yo'  soul,  dey'll  do  'nuff  un  it  bidout 
waitin'  fer  yo'  lettin'. 

"Now,  den,  old  man  Hawk,  — w'ich  dey  call  'im  Billy 
Bluetail  in  my  day  en  time,  —  ole  man  Hawk,  he  tuck'n 
kotch  Brer  Rabbit  des  lak  you  done  said.  He  kotch  'im 
en  he  hilt  'im  in  a  mighty  tight  grip,  let  'lone  dat  he  hilt 
'im  so  tight  dat  it  make  Brer  Rabbit  breff  come  short  lak 
he  des  come  off'n  a  long  jurney. 

"He  holler  en  he  beg,  but  dat  aint  do  no  good;  he 
squall  en  he  cry,  but  dat  aint  do  no  good ;  he  kick  en  he 
groan,  but  dat  aint  do  no  good.  Den  Brer  Rabbit  lay 
still  en  study  'bout  w'at  de  name  er  goodness  he  gwine  do. 
Bimeby  he  up'n  'low  : 

"I  dunner  w'at  you  want  wid  me,  Mr.  Hawk,  w'en 
I  aint  a  mouf  full  fer  you,  skacely  ! ' 

"Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  Til  make  way  wid  you,  en  den 
I'll  go  ketch  me  a  couple  er  Jaybirds.' 

"Dis  make  Brer  Rabbit  shake  wid  de  allovers,  kaze 
ef  dey's  any  kinder  creetur  w'at  he  natally  spize  on  de  top- 
side er  de  yeth,  hits  a  Jaybird. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'Do,  pray,  Mr.  Hawk,  go  ketch 
dem  Jaybirds  fus',  kase  I  can't  stan'  um  bein'  on  top 


380  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 

er  me.  I'll  stay  right  yer,  plum  twcl  you  come  back,' 
sezee. 

"  Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  '  Oh-oh,  Brer  Rabbit,  you  done 
bin  fool  too  many  folks.  You  aint  fool  me,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  Ef  you  can't  do  dat,  Mr.  Hawk, 
den  de  bes'  way  fer  you  ter  do  is  ter  wait  en  lemme  git 
tame,  kaze  I'm  dat  wiP  now  dat  I  don't  tas'e  good.' 

"  Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  '  Oh-oh  ! ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  Well,  den,  ef  dat  won't  do,  you 
better  wait  en  lemme  grow  big  so  I'll  be  a  full  meal  er 
vittles.' 

"  Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  '  Now  youer  talkin'  sense  ! ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'En  I'll  rush  'roun'  mungs  de 
bushes,  en  drive  out  Pa'tridges  fer  you,  en  we'll  have  mo' 
fun  dan  w'at  you  kin  shake  a  stick  at.' 

"  Mr.  Hawk  sorter  study  'bout  dis,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
beg  en  he  splain,  en  de  long  en  de  short  un  it  wuz,"  said 
Uncle  Remus,  embracing  his  knee  with  his  hands,  "dat 
Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  git  loose,  en  he  aint  git  no  bigger,  en 
needer  is  he  druv  no  Pa'tridges  fer  Mr.  Hawk." 

"  De  Lord  he'p  my  soul !  "  exclaimed  Tildy,  and  this 
was  the  only  comment  made  upon  this  extraordinary 
story. 


THE    WISE    BIRD    AND    THE    FOOLISH    BIRD.     381 


LXVI. 
THE  WISE  BIRD  AND  THE  FOOLISH  BIRD. 

ALL  this  talk  about  Hawks  and  Buzzards  evidently 
reminded  Daddy  Jack  of  another  story.  He  began  to 
shake  his  head  and  mumble  to  himself;  and,  finally, 
when  he  looked  around  and  found  that  he  had  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  little  company,  he  rubbed  his  chin 
and  grinned  until  his  yellow  teeth  shone  in  the  fire- 
light like  those  of  some  wild  animal,  while  his  small  eyes 
glistened  under  their  heavy  lids  with  a  suggestion  of  cun- 
ning not  unmixed  with  ferocity. 

"Talk  it  out,  Brer  Jack,"  said  Uncle  Remus  ;  "talk  it 
out.  All  nex'  week  we'll  be  a  fixin'  up  'bout  Chris'mus. 
Mars.  Jeems,  he's  a  comin'  up,  en  Miss  Sally  '11  have  lots 
er  yuther  comp'ny.  'Tildy  yer,  she'll  be  busy,  en  dish 
yer  little  chap,  he  won't  have  no  time  fer  ter  be  settin'  up 
wid  de  ole  niggers,  en  Sis  Tempy,  she'll  have  'er  han's 
full,  en  ole  Remus,  he'll  be  a  pirootin'  'roun' huntin'  fer  dat 
w'at  he  kin  pick  up.  Time's  a  passin',  Brer  Jack,  en  we 
all  er  passin'  wid  it.  Des  whirl  in.  en  gin  us  de  upshot 
er  w'at  you  got  in  yo'  mm'." 

"Enty  ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  by  way  of  approval. 
"  One  time  dey  bin  two  bud.  One  bin  sma't  bud ;  da 
turrer,  'e  bin  fool  bud.  Dey  bin  lif  in  da  sem  countree ; 


382  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

da  bin  use  in  da  sem  swamp.     Da  sma't  bud,  'e  is  bin 
come  'pon  da  fool  bud  ;  'e  bin  tatilk.     'E  bin  say  : 

5 '  Ki !  you  long  in  da  leg,  you  deep  in  da  craw.     You 
bin  'tan'  well ;  you  bin  las'  long  tarn.' 

"  Fool  bud,  'e  look  proud,  'e  toss  'e  head,     'E  say  : 
* '  Me  no  mekky  no  brag.' 

"  Sma't  bud,  'e  say  : 

' r  Less  we  try  see  fer  how  long  tarn  we  is  kin  go  'dout 
bittle  un  drink.' 

"  Fool  bud  'e  'tretch  'e  neck,  'e  toss  'e  head ;   'e  say  : 

" '  All-a  right ;  me  beat-a  you  all  day  ebry  day.  Me 
beat-a  you  all  da  tarn.' 

"Sma't  bud,  'e  say: 

"'Ef  you  bin  'gree  wit'  dis,  less  we  tek  we  place. 
You  git  'pon  da  creek-side  un  tekky  one  ho'n,  I  git  'pon 
da  tree  y-up  dey,  un  tekky  nurrer  ho'n.  Less  we  'tan' 
dey-dey  tell  we  see  how  long  tarn  we  is  kin  do  'dout 
bittle  un  drink.  Wun  I  blow  'pon  me  ho'n  dun  you  blow 
'pon  you'  ho'n  fer  answer  me ;  me  blow,  you  blow,  dun 
we  bote  blow.' 

"  Fool  bud  walk  'bout  big ;  'e  say  : 

"  '  Me  will  do  urn  ! ' 

"  Nex'  day  mornin'  come.  Da  sma't  bud  bin  tekky 
one  ho'n  un  fly  'pon  da  tree.  De  fool  bud  bin  tekky  one 
nurrer  ho'n  un  set  by  da  crik-side.  Dey  bin  sta't  in  fer 
starf  dey  se'f.  Da  fool  bud,  'e  stay  by  da  crik-side  wey 
dey  bin  no'n  'tall  fer  eat ;  'e  no  kin  fin'  no  bittle  dey-dey. 
Sma't  bud  git  in  da  tree  wey  da  y-ant  un  da  bug  swa'm  in 
da  bark  plenty.  'E  pick  dem  ant,  'e  y-eat  dem  ant ;  'e 


THE    WISE    BIRD    AND    THE    FOOLISH    BIRD.     383 

pick  dem  bug,  'e  y-eat  dem  bug.       'E  pick  tell  'e  craw 
come  full ;  he  feel  berry  good. 

"Fool  bud,  'e  down  by  da  crik  side.  'E  set  down,  'e 
coine  tire' ;  'e  'tan'  up,  'e  come  tire' ;  'e  walk  'bout,  'e 
come  tire'.  'E  'tan'  'pon  one  leg,  he  'tan'  'pon  turrer ; 
'e  pit  'e  head  need  'e  wing ;  still  he  come  tire.  Sma't 
bud  shed  'e  y-eye ;  'e  feel  berry  good.  Wun  'e  come 
hongry,  'e  pick  ant,  'e  pick  bug,  tell  'e  hab  plenty,  toze 
dinner  time  'e  pick  up  'e  ho'n,  'e  toot  um  strong  — 

"  '  Tay-tay,  tenando  wanzando  waneanzo  ! ' 

"  Fool  bud  craw  bin  empty,  but  'e  hab  win'.  'E  tekky 
da  ho'n,  'e  blow  berry  well ;  he  mek  um  say  : 

"  '  Tay-tay  tenando  wanzando  olando  ! ' 

"  Sma't  bud  pick  ant  plenty ;  'e  git  full  up.  'E  wati 
tell  mos'  toze  sundown ;  'e  blow  'pon  da  ho'n — 

"  'Tay-tay  tenando  wanzando  waneanzo  /' 

"  Fool  bud  mek  answer,  but  'e  come  weak ;  'e  yent 
hab  eat  nuttin'  'tall.  Soon  nex'  day  mornin'  sma't  bud 
tek  'e  ho'n  un  toot  um.  'E  done  bin  eat,  'e  done  bin 
drink  dew  on  da  leaf.  Fool  bud,  'e  toot  um  ho'n,  'e  toot 
um  slow. 

"  Dinner-time,  sma't  bud  bin  tek  'e  ho'n  un  blow ;  'e 
yent  bin  honkry  no'n  'tall;  'e  hab  good  feelin'.  Fool 
bud  toot  um  ho'n  ;  'e  toot  um  slow.  Night  tarn  come,  'e 


384  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

no  toot  um  no  mo'.       Sma't  bud  come  down,  'e  fin'  um 
done  gone  dead. 

"  Watch  dem  'ceitful  folks  ;  'e  bin  do  you  bad."  x 


LXVII. 
OLD  BROTHER    TERRAPIN  GETS  SOME  FISH. 

"  DAT  tale,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "  puts  me  in  min'  er  de 
time  w'en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  had  a  tussle  wid  Brer  Mink. 
Hit  seem  lak,"  he  went  on,  in  response  to  inquiries  from 
the  little  boy,  "  dat  dey  bofe  live  'roun'  de  water  so  much 
en  so  long,  dat  dey  git  kinder  stuck  up  long  wid  it. 
Leasways  dat  'uz  de  trouble  wid  Brer  Mink.  He  jump 
in  de  water  en  swim  en  dive  twel  he  'gun  ter  b'leeve  dey 
want  nobody  kin  hoi'  der  han'  long  wid  'im. 

"  One  day  Brer  Mink  'uz  gwine  long  down  de  creek 
wid  a  nice  string  er  fish  swingin'  on  he  walkin'-cane,  w'en 
who  should  he  meet  up  wid  but  ole  Brer  Tarrypin.  De 
creeturs  'uz  all  hail  feller  wid  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  no 
sooner  is  he  seed  Brer  Mink  dan  he  bow  'im  howdy. 
Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  talk  'way  down  in  he  th'oat  lak  he  got 
bad  col'.  He  'low  : 

:"Iieyo,  Brer  Mink!  Whar  you  git  all  dem  nice 
string  er  fish  ?  ' 

Mrs.  II.  S.  Barclay,  of  Darien,  who  sends  this  story,  says  it  was  told  by 
a  native  African  woman,  of  good  intelligence,  who  claimed  to  be  a  princess. 
She  had  au  eagle  tattooed  on  her  bosom  —  a  bign  of  royalty. 


OLD    BROTHER    TERRAPIN    GETS    SOME    FISH.    385 

"Brer  Mink  'uz  mighty  up-en-spoken  in  dem  days. 
He  'low,  he  did  : 

"Down  dar  in  de  creek,  Brer  Tarrypin.' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  look  'stonish'.     He  say,  sezee  : 

"  'Well,  well,  well!  In  de  creek!  Who'd  er 
b'leev'd  it?' 

"Brer  Mink,  sezee:  fWhar  I  gwine  ketch  um, 
Brer  Tarrypin,  ef  I  aint  ketch  um  in  de  creek?' 

"  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  sezee  :  ' Dat's  so,  Brer  Mink ;  but 
a  highlan'  man  lak  you  gwine  in  de  creek  atter  fish  !  Hit 
looks  tumble,  Brer  Mink  —  dat  w'at  it  do  ;  hit  des  looks 
turrible  ! ' 

"Brer  Mink,  sezee:  'Looks  er  no  looks,  dar  whar  I 
got  um.' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  sorter  sway  he  head  fum  side  ter  side, 
en  'low : 

' '  Ef  dat  de  case,  Brer  Mink,  den  sho'ly  you  mus'  be 
one  er  dem  ar  kinder  creeturs  w'at  usen  ter  de  water.' 

f  f  Dat's  me,'  sez  Brer  Mink,  sezee. 

'  Well,  den,'  sez  Brer  Tarrypin,  sezee,  '  I'm  a  highlan' 

man  myse'f,  en  it's  bin  a  mighty  long  time  sence  I  got  my 

foots  wet,  but  I  don't  min'  goin'  in  washin'  'long  wid  you. 

Ef  youer  de  man  you  sez  you  is,  you  kin  outdo  me,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Mink,  sezee :  *  How  we  gwine  do,  Brer  Tarry- 
pin?' 

"Ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  sezee  :  '  We  'ull  go  down  dar  ter 
de  creek,  en  de  man  w'at  kin  stay  und'  de  water  de 
longest,  let  dat  man  walk  off  wid  dat  string  er  fish.' 

"  Brer  Mink,  sezee  :  '  I'm  de  ve'y  man  you  bin  lookin'  fer.' 


386  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

"Brer  Mink  say  he  don't  wanter  put  it  off  a  minnit. 
Go  he  would,  en  go  he  did.  Dey  went  down  ter  creek 
en  make  der  'rangerments.  Brer  Mink  lay  he  fish  down 
on  der  bank,  en  'im  en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  wade  in.  Brer 
Tarrypin  he  make  great  'miration  'bout  how  col'  de  water 
is.  He  flinch,  he  did,  en  'low : 

' '  Ow,  Brer  Mink  !  Dish  yer  water  feel  mighty  col' 
and  'taint  no  mo'n  up  ter  my  wais'.  Goodness  knows 
how  she  gwine  feel  w'en  she  git  up  und'  my  chin.' 

"  Dey  wade  in,  dey  did,  en  Brer  Tarrypin  say,   sezee  : 

"Now,  den,  Brer  Mink,  we'll  make  a  dive,  en  de 
man  w'at  stay  und'  de  water  de  longest  dat  man  gits  de 
fish.' 

"  Brer  Mink  'low  dat's  de  way  he  look  at  it,  en  den 
Brer  Tarrypin  gun  de  wud,  en  und'  dey  went.  Co'se," 
said  Uncle  Remus,  after  a  little  pause,  "Brer  Tarry- 
pin  kin  stay  down  in  de  water  longer'n  Brer  Mink,  en 
Brer  Mink  mought  er  know'd  it.  Dey  stay  en  dey  stay, 
twel  bimeby  Brer  Mink  bleedz  ter  come  up,  en  he  tuck'n 
kotch  he  breff,  he  did,  lak  he  mighty  glad  fer  ter  git  back 
ag'in.  Den  atter  w'ile  Brer  Tarrypin  stuck  he  nose  out 
er  de  water,  en  den  Brer  Mink  say  Brer  Tarrypin  kin 
beat  'im.  Brer  Tarrypin  'low  : 

"  '  No,  Brer  Mink  ;  hit's  de  bes'  two  out  er  th'ee.  Ef 
I  beats  you  dis  time  den  de  fish,  deyer  mine ;  ef  I  gits 
beated,  den  we  kin  take  n'er  trial.' 

"  Wid  dat,  down  dey  went,  but  Brer  Tarrypin  aint 
mo'n  dove,  'fo'  up  he  come,  en  w'iles  Brer  Mink  'uz  down 
dar  honin'  fer  fresh  a'r,  he  tuck'n  gobble  up  de  las'  one  er 


OLD    BROTHER    TERRAPIN    GETS    SOME    FISH.    387 

de  fish,  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  did.  He  gobble  up  de  fish, 
en  he  'uz  fixin'  fer  ter  pick  he  toof,  but  by  dis  time 
Brer  Mink  bleedz  ter  come  up,  en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he 
tuck'n  slid  down  in  de  water.  He  slid  so  slick,"  said 
Uncle  Remus,  with  a  chuckle,  "  dat  he  aint  lef  a  bubble. 
He  aint  stay  down  long,  n'er,  To'  he  come  up  en  he  make 
lak  he  teetotally  out  er  win'. 

"  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  come  up,  he  did,  en  look  'roun', 
en  'fo'  Brer  Mink  kin  say  a  wud,  he  holler  out : 

' '  Youer  nice  man,  Brer  Mink  !  Youer  mighty  nice  man  ! ' 

"  r  Wat  I  done  now,  Brer  Tarrypin?  ' 

" '  Don't  ax  me.  Look  up  dar  whar  you  bin  eatin' 
dem  fish  en  den  ax  yo'se'f.  Youer  mighty  nice  man  ! ' 

"  Brer  Mink  look  'roun'  en,  sho  nuff,  de  fish  done 
gone.  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  keep  on  talkin' : 

"  c  You  tuck'n  come  up  fust,  en  w'iles  I  bin  down  dar 
in  de  water,  natally  achin'  fer  lack  er  win',  yer  you  settin' 
up  chawin'  on  de  fish  w'ich  dey  oughter  bin  mine  ! ' 

"  Brer  Mink  stan'  'im  down  dat  he  aint  eat  dem  fish  ; 
he  'ny  it  ter  de  las',  but  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  make  out  he 
don't  b'leeve  'im.  He  say,  sezee  : 

'  You'll  keep  gwine  on  dis  away,  twel  atter  w'ile 
you'll  be  wuss'n  Brer  Rabbit.  Don't  tell  me  you  aint 
git  dem  fish,  Brer  Mink,  kaze  you  know  you  is.' 

"  Hit  sorter  make  Brer  Mink  feel  proud  kaze  ole  Brer 
Tarrypin  mix  'im  up  wid  Brer  Rabbit,  kaze  Brer  Rabbit 
wuz  a  mighty  man  in  dem  days,  en  he  sorter  laugh,  Brer 
Mink  did,  lak  he  know  mo'  dan  he  gwine  tell.  Ole  Brer 
Tarrypin  keep  on  grumblin' : 


388  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

' '  I  aint  gwine  ter  git  mad  long  wid  you,  Brer  Mink, 
kaze  hit's  a  mighty  keen  trick,  but  you  oughter  be  'shame' 
yo'se'f  fer  ter  be  playin'  tricks  on  a  ole  man  lak  me  —  dat 
you  ought ! ' 

"  Wid  dat  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  went  shufflin'  off,  en  atter 
he  git  outer  sight  he  draw'd  back  in  he  house  en  shot  de 
do'  en  laugh  en  laugh  twel  dey  want  no  fun  in  laughin'." 


LXVIII. 
BROTHER   FOX  MAKES   A   NARROW  ESCAPE. 

THE  next  time  the  little  boy  had  an  opportunity  to 
visit  Uncle  Remus  the  old  man  was  alone,  but  he  ap- 
peared to  be  in  good  spirits.  He  was  cobbling  away 
upon  what  the  youngster  recognized  as  'Tildy's  Sunday 
shoes,  and  singing  snatches  of  a  song  something  like 
this  : 

"  0  Mr.  Rabbit !  yd*  eye  mighty  big  — 

Yes,  my  Lord  !  dey  er  made  fer  ter  see  ; 
0  Mr.  Rabbit !  yo'  tail  mighty  short  — 
Yes,  my  Lord !  hit  des  fits  me !  " 

The  child  waited  to  hear  more,  but  the  song  was  the 
same  thing  over  and  over  again  —  always  about  Brother 
Rabbit's  big  eyes,  and  his  short  tail.  After  a  while 
Uncle  Remus  acknowledged  the  presence  of  his  little  part- 
ner by  remarking : 


BROTHER    FOX    MAKES    A    NARROW    ESCAPE.     389 

"  Well,  sir,  we  er  all  yer.  Brer  Jack  and  Sis  Tempy 
en  dat  ar  'Tildy  nigger  may  be  a  pacin'  'roun'  lookin'  in 
de  fence  cornders  fer  Chris'mus,  but  me  en  you  en  ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  we  are  all  yer,  en  ef  we  aint  right  on  de 
spot,  we  er  mighty  close  erroun'.  Yasser,  we  is  dat ; 
mo'  speshually  old  Brer  Rabbit,  wid  he  big  eye  and  he 
short  tail.  Don't  tell  me  'bout  Brer  Rabbit !  "  exclaimed 
Uncle  Remus,  with  a  great  apparent  enthusiasm,  "kaze 
dey  aint  no  use  er  talkin'  'bout  dat  creetur." 

The  little  boy  was  very  anxious  to  know  why. 

"  Well,  I  tell  you,"  said  the  old  man.  "  One  time 
dey  wuz  a  monst'us  dry  season  in  de  settlement  whar  all 
de  creeturs  live  at,  en  drinkin'- water  got  mighty  skace. 
De  creeks  got  low,  and  de  branches  went  dry,  en  all  de 
springs  make  der  disappearance  'cep'n  one  great  big  un 
whar  all  de  creeturs  drunk  at.  Dey'd  all  meet  dar,  dey 
would,  en  de  bigges'  'ud  drink  fus',  en  by  de  time  de  big 
uns  all  done  swaje  der  thuss1  dey  want  a  drap  lef  fer  de 
little  uns  skacely. 

"  Co'se  Brer  Rabbit  uz  on  de  happy  side.  Ef  any- 
body gwine  git  water  Brer  Rabbit  de  man.  De  creeturs 
'ud  see  he  track  'roun'  de  spring,  but .  dey  aint  nev'  ketch 
'im.  Hit  got  so  atter  w'ile  dat  de  big  creeturs  'ud  crowd 
Brer  Fox  out,  en  den  'twan't  long  'fo'  he  hunt  up  Brer 
Rabbit  en  ax  'im  w'at  he  gwine  do. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  study,  en  den  he  up'n  tell  Brer 
Fox  fer  ter  go  home  en  rub  some  'lasses  all  on  hisse'f  en 
den  go  out  en  waller  in  de  leafs.  Brer  Fox  ax  w'at  he 

l  Assuaged  their  thirst. 


390  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    EEMUS. 

mils'  do  den,  en  Brer  Eabbit  say  he  mus'  go  down  by  de 
spring  en  w'en  de  creeturs  come  ter  de  spring  fer  ter  git 
dey  water,  he  mus'  jump  out  at  um,  en  den  atter  dat  he 
mus?  waller  lak  he  one  er  dem  ar  kinder  varment  w'at  got 
bugs  on  um. 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  put  out  fer  home,  he  did,  en  w'en  he  git 
dar  he  run  ter  de  cubbud1  en  des  gawm  hisse'f  wid  'lasses, 
en  den  he  went  out  in  de  bushes,  he  did,  en  waller  in  de 
leafs  en  trash  twel  he  look  mos'  bad  ez  Brer  Rabbit  look 
w'en  he  play  Wull-er-de-Wust  on  de  creeturs. 

"  Wen  Brer  Fox  git  hisse'f  all  fix  up,  he  went  down  ter 
de  spring  en  hide  hisse'f.  Bimeby  all  de  creeturs  come 
atter  der  water,  en  w'iles  dey  'uz  a-scuffin'  en  a-hunch- 
in',  en  a-pushin'  en  a  scrougin',  Brer  Fox  he  jump 
out'n  de  bushes  en  sorter  switch  hisse'f  'roun',  en,  bless 
yo'  soul,  he  look  lak  de  Ole  Boy. 

"  Brer  Wolf  tuck'n  see  'im  fus,  en  he  jump  spang  over 
Brer  B'ar  head.  Brer  B'ar,  he  lip  back,  en  ax  who  dat, 
en  des  time  he  do  dis  de  t'er  creeturs  dey  tuck'n  make  a 
break,  dey  did,  lak  punkins  rollin'  down  hill,  en  mos'  'fo 
youk'n  wink  yo'  eye-ball,  Brer  Fox  had  de  range  er  de 
spring  all  by  hisse'f. 

"  Yit  'twan't  furlong,  kaze  'fo'  de  creeturs  mov'd  fur,  dey 
tuck'n  tu'n  'roun',  dey  did,  en  crope  back  fer  ter  see  w'at  dat 
ar  skeery  lookin'  varment  doin'.  Wen  dey  git  back  in  seein' 
distuns  dar  'uz  Brer  Fox  walkin'  up  en  down  switchin' 
hisse'f. 

"  De  creeturs  dunner  w'at  ter  make  un  'im.    Dey  watch, 

1  Cupboard. 


BROTHER    FOX    MAKES    A    NARROW   ESCAPE.     391 

en  Brer  Fox  march,  dey  watch,  en  he  march.  Hit  keep 
on  dis  away  twel  bimeby  Brer  Fox  'gun  ter  waller  in  de 
water,  en  right  dar,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  leaning 
back  to  laugh,  "  right  dar  'uz  whar  Brer  Rabbit  had  'im. 
Time  he  'gun  ter  waller  in  de  water  de  'lasses  'gun  ter 
melt,  en  twant  no  time  skacely  'fo'  de  'lasses  en  de  leafs 
done  all  wash  off,  en  dar  'uz  ole  Brer  Fox  des  ez  natchul 
ez  life. 

"  De  fus  Brer  Fox  know  'bout  de  leafs  comin'  off,  he 
year  Brer  B'ar  holler  on  top  er  de  hill : 

"  '  You  head  'im  off  down  dar,  Brer  Wolf,  en  I'll  head 
'im  off  'roun'  yer  ! ' 

"  Brer  Fox  look  'roun'  en  he  see  all  de  leafs  done  come 
off,  en  wid  dat  he  make  a  break,  en  he  wan't  none  too 
soon,  n'er,  kaze  little  mo'  en  de  creeturs  'ud  a  kotch  'im." 

Without  giving  the  little  boy  time  to  ask  any  questions, 
Uncle  Remus  added  another  verse  to  his  Rabbit  song,  and 
harped  on  it  for  several  minutes  : 

"  0  Mr.  Rabbit !  yo1  year  mighty  long  — 
Yes.  my  Lord  !  dey  madefer  ter  /as'; 
0  Mr.  Rabbit!  yo'  toof  mighty  sharp  — 
Yes,  my  Lord !  dey  cuts  down  grass  I " 


392  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    11EMUS. 


LXIX. 

BROTHER  FOX'S  FISH-TRAP. 

THE  little  boy  wanted  Uncle  Remus  to  sing  some  more  ; 
but,  before  the  old  man  could  either  consent  or  refuse,  the 
notes  of  a  horn  were  heard  in  the  distance.  Uncle  Remus 
lifted  his  hand  to  command  silence,  and  bent  his  head  in 
an  attitude  of  attention. 

"  Des  listen  at  dat !  "  he  exclaimed,  with  some  show  of 
indignation.  "  Dat  aint  nothin'  in  de  roun'  worl'  but  ole 
man  Plato  wid  dat  tin-hawn  er  his'n,  en  I  'boun'  you  he's 
a-drivin'  de  six  mule  waggin,  en  de  waggin  full  er  niggers 
fum  de  River  place,  en  let  'lone  dat,  I  boun'  you  deyer  nig- 
gers strung  out  behime  de  waggin  fer  mo'n  a  mile,  en  deyer 
all  er  comin'  yer  fer  ter  eat  us  all  out'n  house  en  home, 
des  kaze  dey  year  folks  say  Chris'mus  mos'  yer.  Hit's 
mighty  kuse  unter  me  dat  ole  man  Plato  aint  done  toot 
dat  hawn  full  er  holes  long  'fo'  dis. 

"  Yit  I  aint  blamin'  um,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  with  a 
sigh,  after  a  little  pause.  "  Dem  ar  niggers  bin  livin'  way 
off  dar  on  de  River  place  whar  dey  aint  no  w'ite  folks  twel 
dey  er  done  in  about  run'd  wiP.  I  aint  a  blamin'  urn,  dat 
I  aint." 

Plato's  horn  —  a  long  tin  bugle  —  was  by  no  means 
unmusical.  Its  range  was  limited,  but  in  Plato's  hands  its 


BROTHER    FOX'S    FISH-TRAP.  393 

few  notes  were  both  powerful  and  sweet.  Presently  the 
wagon  arrived,  and  for  a  few  minutes  all  was  confusion, 
the  negroes  on  the  Home  place  running  to  greet  the  new- 
comers, who  were  mostly  their  relatives.  A  stranger 
hearing  the  shouts  and  outcries  of  these  people  would  have 
been  at  a  loss  to  account  for  the  commotion. 

Even  Uncle  Remus  went  to  his  cabin  door,  and,  with 
the  little  boy  by  his  side,  looked  out  upon  the  scene,  — a 
tumult  lit  up  by  torches  of  resinous  pine.  The  old  man 
and  the  child  were  recognized,  and  for  a  few  moments  the 
air  was  filled  with  cries  of  : 

"Howdy,  Unk  Remus  !     Howdy,  little  Marster  !  " 

After  a  while  Uncle  Remus  closed  his  door,  laid  away 
his  tools,  and  drew  his  chair  in  front  of  the  wide  hearth. 
The  child  went  and  stood  beside  him,  leaning  his  head 
against  the  old  negro's  shoulder,  and  the  two  —  old  age 
and  youth,  one  living  in  the  Past  and  the  other  looking 
forward  only  to  the  Future  —  gazed  into  the  bed  of  glow- 
ing embers  illuminated  by  a  thin,  flickering  flame. 
Probably  they  saw  nothing  there,  each  being  busy  with 
his  own  simple  thoughts  ;  but  their  shadows,  enlarged  out 
of  all  proportion,  and  looking  over  their  shoulders  from 
the  wall  behind  them,  must  have  seen  something,  for, 
clinging  together,  they  kept  up  a  most  incessant  panto- 
mime ;  and  Plato's  horn,  which  sounded  again,  to  call  the 
negroes  to  supper  after  their  journey,  though  it  aroused 
Uncle  Remus  and  the  child  from  the  contemplation  of  the 
fire,  had  no  perceptible  effect  upon  the  Shadows. 

"  Dar  go  de  vittles  !  "  said  Uncle  Remus,  straightening 


394  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

himself.  "  Dey  tells  me  dat  dem  ar  niggers  on  de  River 
place  got  appetite  same  ez  a  mule.  Let  'lone  de  vittles 
w'at  dey  gits  from  Mars  John,  dey  eats  oodles  en  oodles 
er  fish.  Ole  man  Plato  say  dat  de  nigger  on  de  River 
place  w'at  aint  got  a  fish-baskit  in  de  river  er  some  in- 
truss1  in  a  fish-trap  aint  no  'count  w'atsomever." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  suddenly  slapped  himself  upon  the 
leg,  and  laughed  uproariously ;  and  when  the  little  boy 
asked  him  what  the  matter  was,  he  cried  out : 

"  Well,  sir  !  Ef  I  aint  de  fergittenest  ole  nigger  twix* 
dis  en  Phillimerdelphy  !  Yer  'tis  mos'  Chris'mus  en  I  aint 
tell  you  'bout  how  Brer  Rabbit  do  Brer  Fox  w'ence  dey 
bofe  un  um  live  on  de  river.  I  dunner  w'at  de  name  er 
sense  gittin  de  marter  'long  wid  me." 

Of  course  the  little  boy  wanted  to  know  all  about  it, 
and  Uncle  Remus  proceeded : 

"  One  time  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Rabbit  live  on  de  river. 
Atter  dey  bin  livin'  dar  so  long  a  time,  Brer  Fox  'low 
dat  he  got  a  mighty  hankerin'  atter  sump'n  'sides  fresh 
meat,  en  he  say  he  b'leeve  he  make  'im  a  fish-trap.  Brer 
Rabbit  say  he  wish  Brer  Fox  mighty  well,  but  he  aint 
honin'  atter  fish  hisse'f,  en  ef  he  is  he  aint  got  no  time 
fer  ter  make  no  fish-trap. 

w  No  marter  fer  dat,  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  got  'im  out 
some  timber,  he  did,  en  he  wuk  nights  fer  ter 
make  dat  trap.  Den  w'en  he  git  it  done,  he  tuck'n  hunt 
'im  a  good  place  fer  ter  set  it,  en  de  way  he  sweat  over 
dat  ar  trap  wuz  a  sin  —  dat  'twuz. 

1  Interest. 


BROTHER    FOX'S    FISH-TRAP.  395 

"  Yit  atter  so  long  a  time,  he  got  'er  sot,  en  den  he 
tuck'n  wash  he  face  en  han's  en  go  home.  All  de  time 
he  'uz  fixin'  un  it  up,  Brer  Rabbit  'uz  settin'  on  de  bank 
watchin'  'im.  He  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  play  in  de  water,  en 
cut  switches  fer  ter  w'ip  at  de  snake-doctors,1  en  all  dat 
time  Brer  Fox,  he  pull  en  haul  en  tote  rocks  fer  ter  hoi' 
dat  trap  endurin'  a  freshet. 

"  Brer  Fox  went  home  en  res'  hisse'f,  en  bimeby  he  go 
down  fer  ter  see  ef  dey  any  fish  in  he  trap.  He  sorter 
fear'd  er  snakes,  but  he  feel  'roun'  en  he  feel  'roun',  yit  he 
aint  feel  no  fish.  Den  he  go  off. 

"  Bimeby,  'long  todes  de  las'  er  de  week,  he  go  down 
en  feel  'roun'  'g'in,  yit  he  aint  feel  no  fish.  Hit  keep  on 
dis  away  twel  Brer  Fox  git  sorter  fag  out.  He  go  en  he 
feel,  but  dey  aint  no  fish  dar.  Atter  w'ile,  one  day,  he 
see  de  signs  whar  somebody  bin  robbin'  he  trap,  en  he 
low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he'll  des  in  about  watch  en  fine  out 
who  de  somebody  is. 

"  Den  he  tuck'n  got  in  he  boat  en  paddle  und'  de 
bushes  on  de  bank  en  watch  he  fish-trap.  He  watch  all 
de  mornin' ;  nobody  aint  come.  He  watch  all  endurin' 
er  atter  dinner ;  nobody  aint  come.  'Long  todes  night, 
w'en  he  des  'bout  makin'  ready  fer  ter  paddle  off  home, 
he  year  fuss  on  t'er  side  de  river,  en'  lo  en  beholes,  yer 
come  Brer  Rabbit  polin'  a  boat  right  todes  Brer  Fox  fish- 
trap. 

"  Look  lak  he  dunner  how  to  use  a  paddle,  en  he  des 
had  'im  a  long  pole,  en  he'd  stan'  up  in  de  behime  part  er 

1  Dragon-flies. 


396  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

he  boat,  en  put  de  een'  er  de  pole  'g'in  de  bottom,  en 
shove  'er  right  ahead. 

"Brer  Fox  git  mighty  mad  w'en  he  see  dis,  but  he 
watch  en  wait.  He  'low  ter  hisse'f,  he  did,  dat  he  kin 
paddle  a  boat  pearter  dan  anybody  kin  pole  um,  en  he  say 
he  sho'ly  gwine  ketch  Brer  Rabbit  dis  time. 

"Brer  Rabbit  pole  up  ter  de  fish-trap,  en  feel  'roun'  en 
pull  out  a  great  big  mud-cat ;  den  he  retch  in  en  pull  out 
n'er  big  mud-cat ;  den  he  pull  out  a  big  blue  cat,  en  it 
keep  on  dis  away  twel  he  git  de  finest  mess  er  fish  you 
mos-'  ever  laid  yo'  eyes  on. 

"  Des  'bout  dat  time,  Brer  Fox  paddle  out  fum  und'  de 
bushes,  en  make  todes  Brer  Rabbit,  en  he  holler  out : 

' '  Ah-yi  I  Youer  de  man  w'at  bin  robbin'  my  fish-trap 
dis  long  time  !  I  got  you  dis  time  !  Oh,  you  nee'nter 
try  ter  run  !  I  got  you  dis  time  sho' ! ' 

"No  sooner  said  dan  no  sooner  done.  Brer  Rabbit 
fling  he  fish  in  he  boat  en  grab  up  de  pole  en  push  off,  en 
he  had  mo'  fun  gittin'  way  fum  dar  dan  he  y-ever  had 
befo'  in  all  he  born  days  put  terge'er." 

"Why  didn't  Brother  Fox  catch  him,  Uncle  Remus?" 
asked  the  little  boy. 

"Shoo!  Honey,  you  sho'ly  done  lose  yo'  min'  'bout 
Brer  Rabbit." 

"  Well,  I  don't  see  how  he  could  get  away." 

"Ef  you'd  er  bin  dar  you'd  er  seed  it,  dat  you  would. 
Brer  Fox,  he  wuz  dar,  en  he  seed  it,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
seed  it,  en  e'en  down  ter  ole  Brer  Bull-frog,  a  settin'  on 
de  bank,  he  seed  it.  Now,  den,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 


BROTHER    FOX'S    FISH-TRAP.  397 

spreading  out  the  palm  of  his  left  hand  like  a  map  and 
pointing  at  it  with  the  forefinger  of  his  right,  "  w'en  Brer 
Rabbit  pole  he  boat,  he  bleedz  ter  set  in  de  behime  een', 
en  w'en  Brer  Fox  paddle  he  boat,  he  bleedz  ter  set  in  de 
behime  een'.  Dat  bein'  de  state  er  de  condition,  how 
Brer  Fox  gwine  ketch  'im  ?  I  aint  'sputin'  but  wat  he 
kin  paddle  pearter  dan  Brer  Rabbit,  but  de  long  en  de 
shorts  un  it  is,  de  pearter  Brer  Fox  paddle  de  pearter 
Brer  Rabbit  go." 

The  little  boy  looked  puzzled.  "Well,  I  don't  see 
how,"  he  exclaimed. 

"  Well,  sir  I "  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "  w'en  de  nose 
er  Brer  Fox  boat  git  close  ter  Brer  Rabbit  boat  all  Brer 
Rabbit  got  ter  do  in  de  roun'  worl'  is  ter  take  he  pole  en 
put  it  'g'in  Brer  Fox  boat  en  push  hisse'f  out  de  way. 
De  harder  he  push  Brer  Fox  boat  back,  de  pearter  he  push 
he  own  boat  forrerd.  Hit  look  mighty  easy  ter  ole  Brer 
Bull-frog  settin'  on  de  bank,  en  all  Brer  Fox  kin  do  is  ter 
shake  he  fist  en  grit  he  toof,  w'iles  Brer  Rabbit  sail  off 
wid  de  fish." 


398  NIGHTS   WITH  UNCLE  REMUS. 


LXX. 

BROTHER     RABBIT     RESCUES      BROTHER 
TARRYPIN. 

THE  arrival  of  the  negroes  from  the  River  place  added 
greatly  to  the  enthusiasm  with  which  the  Christmas  holi- 
days were  anticipated  on  the  Home  place,  and  the  air 
was  filled  with  laughter  day  and  night.  Uncle  Remus 
appeared  to  be  very  busy,  though  there  was  really  nothing 
to  be  done  except  to  walk  around  and  scold  at  everybody 
and  everything,  in  a  good-humored  way,  and  this  the  old 
man  could  do  to  perfection. 

The  night  before  Christmas  eve,  however,  the  little  boy 
saw  a  light  in  Uncle  Remus's  cabin,  and  he  interpreted  it 
as  in  some  sort  a  signal  of  invitation.  He  found  the  old 
man  sitting  by  the  fire  and  talking  to  himself : 

"  Ef  Mars  John  and  Miss  Sally  specks  me  fer  ter  keep 
all  deze  yer  niggers  straight  deyer  gwine  ter  be  diserp'inted, 
— dat  dey  is.  Ef  dcy  wuz  'lev'm  Remuses  'twouldn't  make 
no  difFunce,  let  lone  one  po'  old  cripple  creetur  lak  me. 
Dey  aint  done  no  damage  yit,  but  I  boun'  you  by  termorrer 
night  dey'll  tu'n  loose  en  tu'n  de  whole  place  upside  down, 
en  t'ar  it  up  by  de  roots,  en  den  atteu  hit's  all  done  gone 
en  done,  yer'll  come  Miss  Sally  a  lay  in'  it  all  at  ole  Remus 
do'.  Nigger  aint  got  much  chance  in  deze  yer  low- 


BRO.    RABBIT    RESCUES    BRO.    TARRYPIN.        399 

groun's,  mo'  speshually  w'en  dey  gits  ole  en  cripple  lak  I 
is." 

ft  What  are  they  going  to  do  to-morrow  night,  Uncle 
Remus  ?  "  the  little  boy  inquired. 

"Noww'at  make  you  ax  dat,  honey?"  exclaimed  the 
old  man,  in  a  grieved  tone.  "  You  knows  mighty  well  how 
dey  done  las'  year  en  de  year  'fo'  dat.  Dey  tuck'n  cut  up 
'roun'  yer  wuss'n  ef  dey  uz  wiP  creeturs,  en  termorrer 
night  dey'll  be  a  hollin'  en  whoopin'  en  singin'  en  dancin' 
'fo'  it  git  dark  good.  I  wish  w'en  you  go  up  ter  de  big 
house  you  be  so  good  ez  ter  tell  Miss  Sally  dat  ef  she 
want  any  peace  er  min'  she  better  git  off'n  de  place  en 
stay  offtwel  atter  deze  yer  niggers  git  dey  fill  er  Chris'mus. 
Goodness  knows,  she  can't  speck  a  ole  cripple  nigger  lak 
me  fer  ter  ketch  holt  en  keep  all  deze  yer  niggers 
straight." 

Uncle  Remus  would  have  kept  up  his.  vague  complaints, 
but  right  in  the  midst  of  them  Daddy  Jack  stuck  his  head 
in  at  the  door,  and  said  : 

"  Oona  bin  fix  da'  'Tildy  gal  shoe.  Me  come  fer  git 
dem  shoe ;  me  come  fer  pay  you  fer  fix  dem  shoe." 

Uncle  Remus  looked  at  the  grinning  old  African  in  as- 
tonishment. Then  suddenly  the  truth  dawned  upon  him 
and  he  broke  into  a  loud  laugh.  Finally  he  said  : 

"  Come  in,  Brer  Jack  !  Come  right  'long  in.  I'm 
sorter  po'ly  myse'f,  yit  I'll  make  out  ter  make  you  wel- 
come. Dey  wuz  a  quarter  dollar  gwine  inter  my  britches- 
pocket  on  de  'count  er  dem  ar  shoes,  but  ef  youer  gwine 
ter  pay  fer  um  'twon't  be  but  a  sev'mpunce." 


400  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  EEMUS 

Somehow  or  other  Daddy  Jack  failed  to  relish  Uncle 
Remus's  tone  and  manner,  and  he  replied,  with  some  dis- 
play of  irritation : 

"  Shuh-shuh  !  Me  no  come  in  no'n  'tall.  Me  no  pay 
you  se'mpunce.  Me  come  fer  pay  you  fer  dem  shoe  ;  me 
come  fer  tek  urn  Vay  fum  dey-dey." 

"  I  dunno  'bout  dat,  Brer  Jack,  I  dunno  'bout  dat.  De 
las'  time  I  year  you  en  'Tildy  gwine  on,  she  wuz  'pun  de 
p'ints  er  knockin'  yo'  brains  out.  Now  den,  s'pozen  I 
whirls  in  en  gins  you  de  shoes,  en  den  'Tildy  come  'long 
en  ax  me  'bout  um,  w'at  I  gwine  say  ter  'Tildy?" 

"  Me  pay  you  fer  dem  shoe,"  said  Daddy  Jack,  seeing 
the  necessity  of  argument,  "  un  me  tek  um  wey  da  HI 
'Tildy  gal  bin  stay.  She  tell  me  fer  come  git-a  dem  shoe." 

"  Well,  den,  yer  dey  is,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  sighing 
deeply  as  he  handed  Daddy  Jack  the  shoes.  "  Yer  dey  is 
en  youer  mo'  dan  welcome,  dat  you  is.  But  spite  er  dat, 
dis  yer  quarter  you  flingin'  way  on  um  would  er  done  you 
a  sight  mo'  good  dan  w'at  dem  shoes  is." 

This  philosophy  was  altogether  lost  upon  Daddy  Jack, 
who  took  the  shoes  and  shuffled  out  with  a  grunt  of  satis- 
faction. He  had  scarcely  got  out  of  hearing  before  'Tildy 
pushed  the  door  open  and  came  in.  She  hesitated  a 
moment,  and  then,  seeing  that  Uncle  Remus  paid  no  atten- 
tion to  her,  she  sat  down  and  picked  at  her  fingers  with  an 
air  quite  in  contrast  to  her  usual  "uppishness,"  as  Uncle 
Remus  called  it. 

"  Unk  Remus,"  she  said,  after  awhile,  in  a  subdued  tone, 
"  is  dat  old  Affikin  nigger  bin  yer  atter  dem  ar  shoes  ?  " 


BRO.    RABBIT    RESCUES    BRO.    TARRYPIN.         401 

"Yas,  chile,"  replied  Uncle  Remus,  with  a  long-drawn 
sigh,  "  he  done  bin  yer  en  got  um  en  gone.  Yas,  honey, 
he  done  got  um  en  gone  ;  done  come  en  pay  fer  'm,  en  got 
um  en  gone.  I  sez,  sez  I,  dat  I  wish  you  all  mighty  well, 
en  he  tuck'n  tuck  de  shoes  en  put.  Yas,  chile,  he  done 
got  em  en  gone." 

Something  in  Uncle  Remus's  sympathetic  and  soothing 
tone  seemed  to  exasperate  'Tildy.  She  dropped  her  hands 
in  her  lap,  straightened  herself  up  and  exclaimed  : 

"  Yas  I'm  is  gwine  ter  marry  dat  ole  nigger  an'  I  don't 
keer  who  knows  it.  Miss  Sally  say  she  don't  keer,  an'  t'er 
folks  may  keer  ef  dey  wanter,  an'  much  good  der  keerin' 
'11  do  um." 

'Tildy  evidently  expected  Uncle  Remus  to  make  some 
characteristic  comment,  for  she  sat  and  watched  him  with 
her  lips  firmly  pressed  together  and  her  eyelids  half-closed, 
—  an  attitude  of  defiance  significant  enough  when  seen,  but 
difficult  to  describe.  But  the  old  man  made  no  response 
to  the  challenge.  He  seemed  to  be  very  busy.  Presently 
'Tildy  went  on  : 

"  Somebody  bleedz  to  take  keer  er  dat  ole  nigger,  an'  I 
dunner  who  gwine  ter  do  it  ef  I  don't.  Somebody  bleedz 
ter  look  atter  'im.  Good  win'  come  'long  hit  'ud  in  about 
blow  'im  'way  ef  dey  want  somebody  close  'roun'  fer  ter 
take  keer  un  'im.  Let  'lone  dat,  I  aint  gwineter  have  dat 
ole  nigger  man  fever  'n  'ternally  trottin'  atter  me.  I  tell 
you  de  Lord's  trufe,  Unk  Remus,"  continued  'Tildy, 
growing  confidential,  "  I  aint  had  no  peace  er  min'  sence 
dat  ole  nigger  man  come  on  dis  place.  He  des  bin  a 


402  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    EEMUS. 

pacin'  at  my  heels  de  whole  blessed  time,  an'  I  bleedz  ter 
marry  'im  fer  git  rid  un  'im." 

"  Well,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "  hit  don't  s'prize  me.  You 
marry  en  den  youer  des  lak  Brer  Fox  wid  he  bag.  You 
know  w'at  you  put  in  it,  but  you  dunner  w'at  you  got 
in  it." 

'Tildy  flounced  out  without  waiting  for  an  explanation, 
but  the  mention  of  Brother  Fox  attracted  the  attention  of 
the  little  boy,  and  he  wanted  to  know  what  was  in  the 
bag,  how  it  came  to  be  there,  and  all  about  it. 

"Now,  den,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "hit's  a  tale,  en  a  mighty 
long  tale  at  dat,  but  I'll  des  hatter  cut  it  short,  kaze  ter- 
morrer  night  you'll  wanter  be  a-settin'  up  lis'nen  at  de 
kyar'n's  on  er  dem  ar  niggers,  w'ich  I  b'leeve  in  my  soul 
dey  done  los'  all  de  sense  dey  ever  bin  bornded  wid. 

"  One  time  Brer  Fox  wuz  gwine  on  down  de  big  road, 
en  he  look  ahead  en  he  see  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  makin'  he 
way  on  todes  home.  Brer  Fox  'low  dis  a  mighty  good 
time  fer  ter  nab  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  no  sooner  is  he 
thunk  it  dan  he  put  out  back  home,  w'ich  'twan't  but  a 
little  ways,  en  he  git  'im  a  bag.  He  come  back,  he  did, 
en  he  run  up  behime  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  en  flip  'im  in  de 
bag  en  sling  de  bag  'cross  he  back  en  go  gallin-up  back 
home. 

"  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  holler,  but  'taint  do  no  good ;  he 
rip  en  he  r'ar,  but  'taint  do  no  good.  Brer  Fox  des 
keep  on  a-gwine,  en  'twan't  long  'fo'  he  had  ole  Brer  Tarry- 
pin  slung  up  in  de  cornder  in  de  bag,  en  de  bag  tied  up 
hard  en  fas'. 


BRO.    RABBIT    RESCUES    BRO.    TARRYPIN.        403 

"  But  w'iles  all  dis  gwine  on,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus, 
employing  the  tone  and  manner  of  some  country  preacher 
he  had  heard,  "  whar  wuz  ole  Brer  Rabbit  ?  Yasser  —  dats 
it,  whar  wuz  he  ?  En  mo'n  dat,  w'at  you  speck  he  'uz 
doin'  en  whar  you  reckon  he  wer'  gwine  ?  Dat's  de  way 
ter  talk  it ;  whar'bouts  wuz  he  ?  " 

The  old  man  brought  his  right  hand  down  upon  his 
knee  with  a  thump  that  jarred  the  tin-plate  and  cups 
on  the  mantel-shelf,  and  then  looked  around  with  a  severe 
frown  to  see  what  the  chairs  and  the  work-bench,  and 
the  walls  and  the  rafters,  had  to  say  in  response  to  his  re- 
markable argument.  He  sat  thus  in  a  waiting  attitude 
a  moment,  and  then,  finding  that  no  response  came 
from  anything  or  anybody,  his  brow  gradually  cleared, 
and  a  smile  of  mingled  pride  and  satisfaction  spread  over 
his  face,  as  he  continued  in  a  more  natural  tone : 

"  Youk'n  b'leeve  me  er  not  b'leeve  des  ez  youer  min'  ter, 
but  dat  ar  long-year  creetur — dat  ar  hoppity-skippity  — 
dat  ar  up-en-down-en-sailin'-'roun'  Brer  Rabbit,  w'ich  you 
bin  year  me  call  he  name  'fo'  dis,  he  want  so  mighty  fur 
off  w'iles  Brer  Fox  gwine  'long  wid  dat  ar  bag  slung  'cross 
he  back.  Let  'lone  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  uz  settin'  right  dar 
in  de  bushes  by  de  side  er  de  road,  en  w'ence  he  see  Brer 
Fox  go  trottin'  by,  he  ax  hisse'f  w'at  is  it  dat  creeter  got 
in  dat  ar  bag. 

"  He  ax  hisse'f,  he  did,  but  he  dunno.  He  wunder  en 
he  wunder,  yit  de  mo'  he  wunder  de  mo'  he  dunno.  Brer 
Fox,  he  go  trottin'  by,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sot  in  de  bushes 
en  wunder.  Bimeby  he  'low  ter  hisse'f,  he  did,  dat  Brer 


404  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Fox  aint  got  no  business  fer  ter  be  trottin'  'long  down  de 
road,  totin'  doin's  w'ich  yuther  folks  dunner  w'at  dey  is, 
en  he  'low  dat  dey  won't  be  no  great  harm  done  ef  he  take 
atter  Brer  Fox  en  fine  out  w'at  he  got  in  dat  ar  bag. 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  put  out.  He  aint  got  no 
bag  fer  ter  tote,  en  he  pick  up  he  foots  mighty  peart. 
Mo'n  dat,  he  tuck'n  tuck  a  nigh-cut,  en  by  de  time  Brer 
Fox  git  home,  Brer  Rabbit  done  had  time  fer  ter  go  roun' 
by  de  watermillion-patch  en  do  some  er  he  devilment,  en 
den  atter  dat  he  tuck'n  sot  down  in  de  bushes  whar  he 
kin  see  Brer  Fox  w'en  he  come  home. 

"  Bimeby  yer  come  Brer  Fox  wid  de  bag  slung  'cross 
he  back.  He  onlatch  de  do',  he  did,  en  he  go  in  en  sling 
Brer  Tarry  pin  down  in  de  cornder,  en  set  down  front  er 
de  h'ath  fer  ter  res'  hisse'f." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  paused  to  laugh  in  anticipation  of 
what  was  to  follow. 

"  Brer  Fox  aint  mo'n  lit  he  pipe,"  the  old  man  contin- 
ued, after  a  tantalizing  pause,  "'fo'  Brer  Rabbit  stick  he 
head  in  de  do'  en  holler  : 

"'Brer  Fox!  O  Brer  Fox!  You  better  take  yo' 
walkin'-cane  en  run  down  yan.  Comin'  'long  des  now  I 
year  a  mighty  fuss,  en  I  look  'roun'  en  dar  wuz  a  whole 
passel  er  folks  in  yo'  watermillion-patch  des  a  tromplin' 
'roun'  en  a  t'arin'  down.  I  holler'd  at  um,  but  dey  aint 
pay  no  'tention  ter  little  man  lak  I  is.  Make  'a'se,  Brer 
Fox  !  make  'a'se  !  Git  yo'  cane  en  run  down  dar.  I'd 
go  wid  you  myse'f,  but  my  ole  'oman  ailin'  en  I  bleedz  ter 
be  makin'  my  way  todes  home.  You  better  make  'a'se, 


BRO.    RABBIT    RESCUES    BRO.    TARRYPIN.        405 

Brer  Fox,  ef  you  wanter  git  de  good  er  yo'  watermillions. 
Run,  Brer  Fox  !  run  !' 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Eabbit  dart  back  in  de  bushes,  en  Brer 
Fox  drap  he  pipe  en  grab  he  walkin'-cane  en  put  out  fer 
he  watermillion-patch,  w'ich  'twer'  down  on  de  branch; 
en  no  sooner  is  he  gone  dan  ole  Brer  Rabbit  come  out  de 
bushes  en  make  he  way  in  de  house. 

K  He  go  so  easy  dat  he  aint  make  no  fuss ;  he  look 
roun'  en  dar  wuz  de  bag  in  de  cornder.  He  kotch  holt 
er  de  bag  en  sorter  feel  un  it,  en  time  he  do  dis,  he  year 
sump'n  holler : 

' '  Ow  !  Go  'way  !  Lem  me  'lone  !  Tu'n  me  loose  ! 
Ow!' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  jump  back  'stonish'd.  Den  To'  you  kin 
wink  yo'  eye-ball,  Brer  Rabbit  slap  hisse'f  on  de  leg  en 
break  out  in  a  laugh.  Den  he  up'n  'low  : 

'  'Ef  I  aint  make  no  mistakes,  dat  ar  kinder  fuss  kin 
come  fum  nobody  in  de  'roun'  worl'  but  ole  Brer 
Tarrypin,/ 

"  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  holler,  sezee :  '  Aint  dat  Brer 
Rabbit?' 

"De  same,'  sezee. 

"'Den  whirl  in  en  tu'n  me  out.  Meal  dus'  in  my  th'oat, 
grit  in  my  eye,  en  I  aint  kin  git  my  breff,  skacely.  Tu'n 
me  out,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  talk  lak  somebody  down  in  a  well. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  holler  back : 

'  Youer  lots  smarter  dan  w'at  I  is,  Brer  Tarrypin  — 
lots  smarter.     Youer  smarter   en   pearter.     Peart  ez    I 


406  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

come  yer,  you  is  ahead  er  me.  I  know  how  you  git  in 
de  bag,  but  I  dunner  how  de  name  er  goodness  you  tie 
yo'se'f  up  in  dar,  dat  I  don't.' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  try  ter  splain,  but  Brer  Rabbit  keep  on 
laughin',  en  he  laugh  twel  he  git  he  fill  er  laughin' ;  en 
den  he  tuck'n  ontie  de  bag  en  take  Brer  Tarrypin  out  en 
tote  'iin  way  off  in  de  woods.  Den,  w'en  he  done  dis, 
Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  run  off  en  git  a  great  big  hornet-nes' 
w'at  he  see  w'en  he  comin'  long  —  " 

"  A  hornet's  nest,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  exclaimed  the  little 
boy,  in  amazement. 

"  Tooby  sho',  honey.  'Taint  bin  a  mont'  sence  I  brung 
you  a  great  big  hornet-nes',  en  yer  you  is  axin'  dat.  Brer 
Rabbit  tuck'n  slap  he  han'  'cross  de  little  hole  whar  de 
hornets  goes  in  at,  en  dar  he  had  um.  Den  he  tuck'n 
tuck  it  ter  Brer  Fox  house,  en  put  it  in  de  bag  whar  Brer 
Tarrypin  bin'. 

"  He  put  de  hornet-nes'  in  dar,"  continued  Uncle 
Remus,  lowering  his  voice,  and  becoming  very  grave,  "  en 
den  he  tie  up  de  bag  des  lak  he  fine  it.  Yit  'fo'  he  put 
de  bag  back  in  de  cornder,  w'at  do  dat  creetur  do  ?  I 
aint  settin'  yer,"  said  the  ole  man,  seizing  his  chair  with 
both  hands,  as  if  by  that  means  to  emphasize  the  illustra- 
tion, "  I  aint  settin'  yer  ef  dat  ar  creetur  aint  grab  dat  bag 
en  slam  it  down  'g'in  de  no',  en  hit  it  'g'in  de  side  er  de 
house  twel  he  git  dem  ar  hornets  all  stirred  up,  en  den  he 
put  de  bag  back  in  de  cornder,  en  go  out  in  de  bushes  ter 
whar  Brer  Tarrypin  waitin',  en  den  bofe  un  um  sot  out 
dar  en  wait  fer  ter  see  w'at  de  upshot  gwine  ter  be. 


BRO.    RABBIT    RESCUES    BRO.    TARRYPIN.         407 

"  Bimeby,  yer  come  Brer  Fox  back  fum  he  watermillion- 
patch  en  he  look  lak  he  mighty  mad.  He  strak  he  cane 
down  'pun  de  groun',  en  do  lak  he  gwine  take  he  re  ven- 
geance out'n  po'  ole  Brer  Tarrypin.  He  went  in  de  do', 
Brer  Fox  did,  en  shot  it  atter  'im.  Brer  Rabbit  en.  Brer 
Tarrypin  lissen',  but  dey  aint  year  nothin'. 

"But  bimeby,  fus  news  you  know,  dey  year  de  mos' 
owdashus  racket,  tooby  sho'.  Seem  lak,  fum  whar  Brer 
Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarrypin  settin'  dat  dey  'uz  a  whole  passel 
er  cows  runnin'  'roun'  in  Brer  Fox  house.  Dey  year  de 
cheers  a  fallin',  en  de  table  turnin'  over,  en  de  crock'ry 
breakin',  en  den  de  do'  flew'd  open,  en  out  come  Brer  Fox, 
a-squallin'  lak  de  Ole  Boy  wuz  atter  'im.  En  sech  a  sight 
ez  dem  t'er  creeturs  seed  den  en  dar  aint  never  bin  seed 
befo'  ner  sence. 

"Dem  ar  hornets  des  swarmed  on  top  er  Brer  Fox. 
'Lev'm  dozen  un  um  'ud  hit  at  one  time,  en  look  lak  dat  ar 
creetur  bleedz  ter  fine  out  fer  hisse'f  w'at  pain  en  suflfin' 
is.  Dey  bit  'im  en  dey  stung  'im,  en  fur  ez  Brer  Rabbit 
en  Brer  Tarrypin  kin  year  'im,  dem  hornets  'uz  des  a 
nailin'  'im.  Gentermens  !  dey  gun  'im  binjer  ! 

"  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarrypin,  dey  sot  dar,  dey  did, 
en  dey  laugh  en  laugh,  twel  bimeby,  Brer  Rabbit  roll 
over  en  grab  he  stomach,  en  holler  : 

' '  Don't,  Brer  Tarrypin  !  don't !  One  giggle  mo'  en 
you'll  hatter  tote  me.' 

"  En  dat  aint  all,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  raising  his  voice. 
"  I  know  a  little  chap  w'ich  ef  he  set  up  yer  'sputin'  'longer 


408  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

me  en  de  t'er  creeturs,  he  won't  have  much  fun  termorrer 
night." 

The   hint   was    sufficient,   and   the  little  boy  ran  out 
laughing. 


LXXI. 

THE  NIGHT  BEFORE   CHRISTMAS. 

THE  day  and  the  night  before  Christmas  were  full  of 
pleasure  for  the  little  boy.  There  was  pleasure  in  the 
big  house,  and  pleasure  in  the  humble  cabins  in  the  quar- 
ters. The  peculiar  manner  in  which  the  negroes  celebrated 
the  beginning  of  the  holidays  was  familiar  to  the  child's 
experience,  but  strange  to  his  appreciation,  and  he  enjoyed 
everything  he  saw  and  heard  with  the  ready  delight  of  his 
years,  —  a  delight,  which,  in  this  instance,  had  been  trained 
and  sharpened,  if  the  expression  may  be  used,  in  the  small 
world  over  which  Uncle  Remus  presided. 

The  little  boy  had  a  special  invitation  to  be  present  at 
the  marriage  of  Daddy  Jack  and  'Tildy,  and  he  went, 
accompanied  by  Uncle  Remus  and  Aunt  Tempy.  It 
seemed  to  be  a  very  curious  affair,  but  its  incongruities 
made  small  impression  upon  the  mind  of  the  child. 

'Tildy  wore  a  white  dress  and  had  a  wreath  of  artificial 
flowers  in  her  hair.  Daddy  Jack  wore  a  high  hat,  which 
he  persisted  in  keeping  on  his  head  during  the  ceremony, 


THE    NIGHT    BEFORE    CHRISTMAS.  409 

and  a  coat  the  tails  of  which  nearly  dragged  the  floor.  His 
bright  little  eyes  glistened  triumphantly,  and  he  grinned 
and  bowed  to  everybody  again  and  again.  After  it  was 
all  over,  the  guests  partook  of  cake  baked  by  Aunt 
Tempy,  and  persimmon  beer  brewed  by  Uncle  Remus. 

It  seemed,  however,  that  'Tildy  was  not  perfectly  happy  ; 
for,  in  response  to  a  question  asked  by  Aunt  Tempy,  she 
said : 

"  Yes'm,  I'm  gwine  down  de  country  'long  wid  my  ole 
man,  an'  I  lay  ef  eve'y thing  don't  go  right,  I'm  gwineter 
pick  up  an'  come  right  back." 

"  No-no  ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  "  'e  no  come  bahck 
no'n  'tall.  'E  bin  stay  dey-dey  wit'  'e  nice  ole-a  man." 

"  You  put  yo'  pennunce  in  dat !  "  said  'Tildy,  scornfully. 
"Dey  aint  nobody  kin  hoi'  me  w'en  I  takes  a  notion,  'cep'n 
hits  Miss  Sally  ;  en,  goodness  knows,  Miss  Sally  aint  gwine 
ter  be  down  dar." 

"  Who  Miss  Sally  gwine  put  in  de  house  ?  "  Aunt  Tempy 
asked. 

"Humph!"  exclaimed  'Tildy,  scornfully,  "Miss  Sally 
say  she  gwine  take  dat  ar  Darkess1  nigger  an'  put  'er  in 
my  place.  An'  a  mighty  nice  mess  Darkess  gwine  ter 
make  un  'it !  Much  she  know  'bout  waitin'  on  w'ite  folks  ! 
Many's  an'  many's  de  time  Miss  Sally  '11  set  down  in  'er 
rockin'-cheer  an'  wish  fer  'Tildy  —  many's  de  time." 

This  was  'Tildy 's  grievance,  —  the  idea  that  some  one 
could  be  found  to  fill  her  place  ;  and  it  is  a  grievance  with 

1  Dorcas. 


410  NIGHTS    WITH   UNCLE    REMUS. 

which  people  of  greater  importance  than  the  humble  negro 
house-girl  are  more  or  less  familiar. 

But  the  preparations  for  the  holidays  went  on  in  spite 
of  'Tildy's  grievance.  A  large  platform,  used  for  sunning 
wheat  and  seed  cotton,  was  arranged  by  the  negroes  for 
their  dance,  and  several  wagon-loads  of  resinous  pine  — 
known  as  lightwood — were  placed  round  about  it  in  little 
heaps,  so  that  the  occasion  might  lack  no  element  of 
brilliancy. 

At  nightfall  the  heaps  of  lightwood  were  set  on  fire, 
and  the  little  boy,  who  was  waiting  impatiently  for  Uncle 
Remus  to  come  for  him,  could  hear  the  negroes  singing, 
dancing,  and  laughing.  He  was  just  ready  to  cry  when 
he  heard  the  voice  of  his  venerable  partner. 

"  Is  dey  a'er  passenger  anywhar's  'roun'  yer  fer  Thump- 
town?  De  stage  done  ready  en  de  hosses  a-prancin'.  Ef 
dey's  a'er  passenger  'roun'  yer,  I  lay  he  des  better  be 
makin'  ready  fer  ter  go." 

The  old  man  walked  up  to  the  back  piazza  as  he  spoke, 
held  out  his  strong  arms,  and  the  little  boy  jumped  into 
them  with  an  exclamation  of  delight.  The  child's  mother 
gave  Uncle  Remus  a  shawl  to  wrap  around  the  child,  and 
this  shawl  was  the  cause  of  considerable  trouble,  for  the 
youngster  persisted  in  wrapping  it  around  the  old  man's 
head,  and  so  blinding  him  that  there  was  danger  of  his 
falling.  Finally,  he  put  the  little  boy  down,  took  off  his 
hat,  raised  his  right  hand,  and  said : 

"Now,  den,  I  bin  a-beggin'  un  you  fer  ter  quit  yo' 
'haveishness  des  long  ez  I'm  a  gwineter,  en  I  aint  gwine  beg 


THE    NIGHT    BEFORE    CHRISTMAS.  411 

you  no  mo',  kaze  I'm  des  tetotally  wo'  out  wid  beggin', 
en  de  mo'  I  begs  de  wuss  you  gits.  Now  I'm  done  !  You 
des  go  yo'  ways  en  I'll  go  mine,  en  my  way  lays  right 
spang  back  ter  de  big  house  whar  Miss  Sally  is.  Dat's 
whar  I'm  a-gwine  ! " 

Uncle  Remus  started  to  the  house  with  an  exaggerated 
vigor  of  movement  comical  to  behold ;  but,  however  comi- 
cal it  may  have  been,  it  had  its  effect.  The  little  boy  ran 
after  him,  caught  him  by  the  hand,  and  made  him  stop. 

"Now,  Uncle  Remus,  please  don't  go  back.  I  was 
just  playing." 

Uncle  Remus's  anger  was  all  pretence,  but  he  managed 
to  make  it  very  impressive. 

"  My  play  in'  days  done  gone  too  long  ter  talk  about. 
When  I  plays,  I  plays  wid  wuk,  dat  w'at  I  plays  wid." 

"  Well,"  said  the  child,  who  had  tactics  of  his  own,  "if  I 
can't  play  with  you,  I  don't  know  who  I  am  to  play 
with." 

This  touched  Uncle  Remus  in  a  very  tender  spot.  He 
stopped  in  the  path,  took  off  his  spectacles,  wiped  the 
glasses  on  his  coat-tail,  and  said  very  emphatically  : 

"  Now  den,  honey,  des  lissen  at  me.  How  de  name  er 
goodness  kin  you  call  dat  play  in',  w'ich  er  little  mo'  en  I'd 
er  fell  down  on  top  er  my  head,  en  broke  my  neck  en 
yone  too  ?  " 

The  child  promised  that  he  would  be  very  good,  and 
Uncle  Remus  picked  him  up,  and  the  two  made  their  way 
to  where  the  negroes  had  congregated.  They  were 
greeted  with  cries  of  "  Dar's  Unk  Remus  ! "  "  Howdy, 


412  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

Unk  Kemus  !  "   "  Yer  dey  is  !  "   "  Ole  man  Remus  don't 
sing  ;  but  w'en  he  do  sing — gentermens  !  des  go  'way  !  " 

All  this  and  much  more,  so  that  when  Uncle  Remus  had 
placed  the  little  boy  upon  a  corner  of  the  platform,  and 
made  him  comfortable,  he  straightened  himself  with  a 
laugh  and  cried  out : 

"  Howdy,  boys  !  howdy  all !  I  des  come  up  fer  ter  jine  in 
wid  you  fer  one  'roun'  fer  de  sakes  er  ole  times,  ef  no  mo'." 

"  I  boun'  fer  Unk  Remus  !  "  some  one  said.  "  Now  des 
hush  en  let  Unk  Remus  'lone  !  "  exclaimed  another. 

The  figure  of  the  old  man,  as  he  stood  smiling  upon  the 
crowd  of  negroes,  was  picturesque  in  the  extreme.  He 
seemed  to  be  taller  than  all  the  rest ;  and,  notwithstanding 
his  venerable  appearance,  he  moved  and  spoke  with  all  the 
vigor  of  youth.  He  had  always  exercised  authority  over 
his  fellow-servants.  He  had  been  the  captain  of  the  corn- 
pile,  the  stoutest  at  the  log-rolling,  the  swiftest  with  the 
hoe,  the  neatest  with  the  plough,  and  the  plantation  hands 
still  looked  upon  him  as  their  leader. 

Some  negro  from  the  River  place  had  brought  a  fiddle, 
and,  though  it  was  a  very  feeble  one,  its  screeching  seemed 
to  annoy  Uncle  Remus. 

"  Put  up  dat  ar  fiddle  !  "  he  exclaimed,  waving  his  hand. 
"  Des  put  'er  up  ;  she  sets  my  toof  on  aidje.  Put  'er  up 
en  less  go  back  ter  ole  times.  Dey  aint  no  room  fer  no 
fiddle  'roun'  yer,  kaze  w'en  you  gits  me  started  dat  ar 
fiddle  won't  be  nowhars." 

"Dat's  so,"  said  the  man  with  the  fiddle,  and  the  imi- 
tating instrument  was  laid  aside. 


THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  CHRISTMAS.  413 

"  Now,  den,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "  dey's  a  little 
chap  yer  dat  you'll  all  come  ter  know  mighty  well  one  er 
deze  odd-come-shorts,  en  dish  yer  little  chap  aint  got  so 
mighty  long  fer  ter  set  up  'long  wid  us.  Dat  bein'  de 
case  we  oughter  take'n  put  de  bes'  foot  fo'mus'  fer  ter 
commence  wid." 

"  You  lead,  Unk  Remus  !     You  des  lead  en  we'll  foller." 

Thereupon  the  old  man  called  to  the  best  singers  among 
the  negroes  and  made  them  stand  near  him.  Then  he 
raised  his  right  hand  to  his  ear  and  stood  perfectly  still. 
The  little  boy  thought  he  was  listening  for  something,  but 
presently  Uncle  Remus  began  to  slap  himself  gently  with 
his  left  hand,  first  upon  the  leg  and  then  upon  the  breast. 
The  other  negroes  kept  time  to  this  by  a  gentle  motion  of 
their  feet,  and  finally,  when  the  thump  —  thump  —  thump 
of  this  movement  had  regulated  itself  to  suit  the  old  man's 
fancy,  he  broke  out  with  what  may  be  called  a  Christmas 
dance  song. 

His  voice  was  strong,  and  powerful,  and  sweet,  and  its 
range  was  as  astonishing  as  it  volume.  More  than  this, 
the  melody  to  which  he  tuned  it,  and  which  was  caught 
up  by  a  hundred  voices  almost  as  sweet  and  as  powerful 
as  his  own,  was  charged  with  a  mysterious  and  pathetic 
tenderness. 

The  fine  company  of  men  and  women  at  the  big  house 

—  men  and  women  who  had  made  the  tour  of  all  the  capi- 
tals of  Europe  —  listened  with  swelling  hearts  and  with 
tears  in  their  eyes  as  the  song  rose  and  fell  upon  the  air 

—  at  one  moment  a  tempest  of  melody,  at  another  a  heart- 


414  NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 

breaking  strain  breathed  softly  and  sweetly  to  the  gentle 
winds.  The  song  that  the  little  boy  and  the  fine  company 
heard  was  something  like  thitf  —  ridiculous  enough  when 
put  in  cold  type,  but  powerful  and  thrilling  when  joined 
to  the  melody  with  which  the  negroes  had  invested  it : 

MY  HONEY,   MY  LOVE. 


Hit's  a  mighty  fur  ways  up  de  Far' well  Lane, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
You  may  ax  Mister  Crow,  you  may  ax  Mr.  Crane, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Dey'll  make  you  a  bow,  en  dey'll  tell  you  de  same, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Hit's  a  mighty  fur  ways  fer  to  go  in  de  night, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
My  honey,  my  love,  my  heart's  delight  — 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 

Mister  Mink,  he  creep  twel  he  wake  up  de  snipe, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Mister  Bull-Frog  holler,  Come-a-light  my  pipe, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
En  de  Pa'tridge  ax,  Aint  yo'  peas  ripe? 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Better  not  walk  erlong  dar  'much  otter  night, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
My  honey,  my  love,  my  heart's  delight  — 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 

De  Bully- Bat  fly  mighty  close  ter  de  groun\ 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Mister  Fox,  he  coax  'er,  Do  come  down ! 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Mister  Coon,  he  rack  all  'roun'  en  'roun\ 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 


THE    NIGHT    BEFORE    CHRISTMAS.-  415 

In  de  darkes'  night,  oh,  de  nigger,  he's  a  sight ! 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
My  honey,  my  love,  my  heart's  delight  — 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 

Oh,  flee,  Miss  Nancy,  flee  ter  my  knee, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
'Lev'm  big  fat  coons  lives  in  one  tree, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Oh,  ladies  all,  won't  you  marry  me  f 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Tu'n  lef,  tu'n  right,  we  'ull  dance  all  night. 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
My  honey,  my  love,  my  heart's  delight  — 

My  honey,  my  love  I 

~* 

De  big  Owl  holler  en  cry  fer  his  mate, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Oh,  don't  stay  long  I  Oh,  don't  stay  late  ! 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Hit  aint  so  mighty  fur  ter  de  Good-by  Gate, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
Whar  we  all  got  ter  go  w'en  we  sing  out  de  night, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
My  honey,  my  love,  my  heart's  delight  — 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 

After  a  while  the  song  was  clone,  and  other  songs  were 
sung ;  but  it  was  not  long  before  Uncle  Remus  discovered 
that  the  little  boy  was  fast  asleep.  The  old  man  took  the 
child  in  his  arms  and  carried  him  to  the  big  house,  sing- 
ing softly  in  his  ear  all  the  way ;  and  somehow  or  other 
the  song  seemed  to  melt  and  mingle  in  the  youngster's 
dreams.  He  thought  he  was  floating  in  the  air,  while 


416 


NIGHTS    WITH    UNCLE    REMUS. 


somewhere  near  all  the  negroes  were  singing,  Uncle 
Eemus's  voice  above  all  the  rest ;  and  then,  after  he  had 
found  a  resting-place  upon  a  soft  warm  bank  of  clouds,  he 
thought  he  heard  the  songs  renewed.  They  grew  fainter 
and  fainter  in  his  dreams  until  at  last  (it  seemed)  Uncle 
Remus  leaned  over  him  and  sang 


I33</ 


